Experience the wonder of Christ as both Child and Mighty God in Day 3 of the Christmas Worship Challenge. Reflect on Isaiah’s prophecy, anticipate His glorious return, and be inspired by a powerful flash mob performance of the “Hallelujah Chorus.”
December is often filled with the blessings of busy schedules, but what if this year, you savored the season through deeper worship of Christ? When we lean into worship, even in small ways, we unlock a fresh appreciation for the wonder of Christmas.
Let’s begin today’s challenge by praying these verses from Ephesians:
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” – Ephesians 1:18–19
When God’s grace shines through, understanding becomes more than knowledge—it transforms the heart. This deeper knowing of Christ comes through the power of the Holy Spirit working within us.
Appreciate the details of Christ revealed in the following prophecy. As you give God a deeper level of your attention, He will expand your vision of the majesty of Christ.
Worship in the Details
As you read one of Isaiah’s prophecies regarding the coming Messiah, focus on the specific attributes of Christ, both child and Mighty God. Let God fill your heart with wonder as you meditate on the fact that God became flesh, yet remains Mighty God.
Appreciate the “riches of God’s Glory” that we have in Christ. Fight the tendency to read these words as words.
Read them as windows through which to see the majesty of Christ more clearly with the eyes of your heart wide awake.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.– Isaiah 9: 6-7
Today’s Worship Challenge: Anticipate His Return
This Christmas season, turn your heart toward Christ’s return. In days long past, people looked forward to the birth of the promised child. Today, we look forward to the return of Christ, not as an infant, but as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Just as people long ago anticipated the birth of the promised Savior, we now await His triumphant return.
Originally, I was going to post a video of Handel’s Messiah, “For Unto us a Child is Born,” but in looking for a specific version I came across this flash mob video of the Hallelujah Chorus, also from Handel’s Messiah. To inspire your worship today, watch this performance of the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah performed in the midst of a bustling mall:
The unexpected setting of this performance invites us to imagine worshiping Christ boldly in the everyday places of our lives. Hearing this glorious work of worship by the musical genius of Frederick Handel in the unexpected hustle and bustle of a shopping mall, brings a different perspective. Too worship Christ publicly in the midst of the daily like this…an interesting thought for sure.
What I love about this video is watching the people, some who are the planned part of the song, others who spontaneously watch and join in. I would have loved to be eating my Chick-Fil-A sandwich in the food court the day this took place. Notice how some join in spontaneously, their joy shining through. How might you bring moments of worship into the ordinary moments of your day?
If you’ve never experienced a live performance of Handel’s Messiah, know that it’s tradition for audiences to rise as the first notes of the “Hallelujah Chorus” begin. Why? To honor the One it gloriously celebrates—our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
This passage from Philippians gives us a glimpse at the worship we will experience when Christ returns:
“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:9–11
Your Turn:
- Meditate on Isaiah 9:6-7 and Philippians 2:9–11.
- Reflect on Christ’s return and let your anticipation lead you to joyful worship.
- Share this post with someone who would be blessed by joining the Christmas Worship Challenge.
Come back tomorrow for Day 4 as we continue this journey of worshiping Christ more deeply this Christmas season!
Related Podcast: Simple Christmas Worship Ideas to Find Joy and Peace Amid a Busy Holiday
Did you catch the Habits of Hope podcast we used to kick of The Christmas Worship Challenge? Struggling with holiday busyness? Discover practical ways to keep Christ in Christmas and prioritize worship this season. In this episode, we share tips for managing holiday stress, creating spiritual habits, and finding joy in faith-filled Christmas traditions. Discover simple ways to worship we can learn from the wise men who worshiped the Christ child. Listen here.
The Christmas Worship Challenge Daily Roadmap
- Worship Like a Wise Man
- The Glory of Christ
- Both Child and Mighty God
- Four Ways to Love God
- God With Us
- Two Ways to Exalt Christ This Christmas
- A God who Speaks
- Let Beauty Spark Your Worship Today
- Make it Beautiful
- Give God Glory: Put on You’re Dancing Shoes
- A Lesson From the Christmas Shepherds
- Make it Known: Another Lesson from the Shepherds
- Treasuring and Pondering: Meditation of the Heart
- Fullness of Grace: The Divine Multiplier
- How to Find Joy
- Worship by Giving the Gift of Prayer
- Believing God: The Rest of Peace
- Break Out of Your Worship Rut
- Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child
- The Worship of Gratitude
- Celebrate Christmas: Give God the Gift of Yourself
- Why You Should Sing in the New Year with a New Song
- We Don’t Worship Alone
- 10 Practical Tips to Deepen Your Worship Now (Summary of Worship Tips from the Challenge)
- 10 More Tips to Deepen Your Worship Now
- Worship You Don’t Want to Miss
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
Entering as a child is where His sacrifice started, culminating in the cross. It was immeasurable sacrifice to leave the glory of heaven to enter the broken world in the form of human likeness. He traded pleasure for pain, honor for insult, authority for servanthood, riches for poverty, so that He could win for us every spiritual blessing. He exercised obedience and humility in the extreme. As Phil 2 says, therefore, He is exalted to the highest place, and it is His joy to share honor and authority and glory. WE are His inheritance, and HE is our inheritance. Hebrews says it was for the JOY set before Him that He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. An extravagant exchange, where He brings everything, and we bring nothing. THAT is amazing grace.
A well-written and Christ exalting statement! I am so blessed by reading the thoughts you share!