Embracing Jesus in Worship

The post-Christmas period often sees a decline in excitement and a return to normalcy. As the holiday festivities wind down, it's common for people to return to their usual routines, and the fervor somewhat begins to fade. As Christians, however, there's a call to go beyond the seasonal celebrations and sustain the enthusiasm for worship. 

Our journey with Christ doesn't conclude with the holiday season. Instead, we are urged to continually seek and worship Him in His sanctuary of worship or what we call the church.  It is a place wherein we can continue the excitement of our connection with Jesus. 

Prepare the Sacrifice of Praise

In the Biblical narrative in Luke chapter 2, Mary and Joseph's dedication to the baby Jesus in the temple provides a backdrop for understanding the preparation required in worship. Mandated by the Mosaic Law, they adhered to ceremonial laws, emphasizing the necessity for worshipers to prepare offerings to the Lord. 

Luke 2:22–24 says, “And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

The ceremonial laws demanded meticulous preparation, selecting offerings without blemish and adhering to prescribed rituals. This serves as a parallel to our contemporary worship, wherein we prepare ourselves to offer a sacrifice of praise. In our time, the focus shifts from legal obligation to a rightful reaction to God's grace. 

 As believers,  the challenge for us is to avoid laxities in worship preparation, such as lack of focus during services, tardiness, irregular attendance, and haphazard offerings. We should not settle for the minimum when it comes to worship. Instead, we should observe a dedicated, intentional approach to meeting with the Lord.

To rekindle the eagerness to meet Jesus in His house of worship, let us embrace the challenge of disciplining time, ensuring not miss out on attending church gatherings, setting apart offerings ahead of time, and approaching service preparation with enthusiasm.

Cherish Jesus Beyond Anticipation

In the same narrative in Luke chapter 2, we knew who Simeon was. His deep anticipation for the salvation of Israel and the arrival of the Messiah sets the stage for a remarkable encounter. 

Luke 2:25–26 tells us, “And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

The Lord, in response to Simeon's devout anticipation, grants him the privilege of seeing Jesus before he departs from this world. Simeon's reaction to this divine encounter is a beautiful expression of devotion.

When Simeon finally beholds the Messiah, he takes Him into His arms, blesses God, and offers praise. This extraordinary reaction astonishes Mary and Joseph, emphasizing the profound connection Simeon has with Jesus. His actions reflect an unparalleled eagerness to cherish and worship the Lord.

While we may not physically cradle Jesus in our arms as Simeon did, we can encounter Him in His house of worship—the church. The text highlights the sacredness of this consecrated place for prayer and worship. It also emphasizes that the church is designed for the believers to gather together and experience Jesus in worship. 

The significance of consistent fellowship within the church is vividly emphasized across various biblical passages. For instance, 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 emphasizes the communal nature of breaking bread and remembering Christ; Acts 2:42 Illustrates the early believers' devotion to learning, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer; 1 Corinthians 14:26 stresses the diverse contributions of individuals when assembling, all for edification.

The significance of the church in modern Christianity cannot be overstated. For instance, while personal prayer is vital, the communal aspect is equally crucial. While reading the Bible alone is possible, we are encouraged to study together for deeper understanding. Moreover, worshiping alone is possible but we are to cherish Jesus in collective worship.

Salvation leads individuals to become part of the body of Jesus, engaging in its gatherings as a natural expression of their faith. Believers are urged to cherish Jesus in His house of praise, recognizing the value of communal worship. The challenge is to not neglect church gatherings; Attend church services with reverence and anticipation; Recognize the significance of every element in the church setting; And acknowledge the church as a consecrated place for encountering Jesus.

The call is to rediscover the excitement and eagerness to worship Jesus in His house of praise. Learn to cradle Him in our hearts, cherishing every moment of worship in the church. In doing so, we revive the profound joy that comes from embracing Jesus beyond anticipation, fostering a genuine connection with our Savior.

Serve Jesus with Gratitude

Prophetess Anna, who also appeared in the narrative in Luke chapter 2, was a testament to the enduring spirit of service and gratitude. Despite age and widowhood, Anna's dedication to serving God in the temple serves as a powerful inspiration for contemporary believers.

Luke 2:37–38 states, “and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Despite her advanced age and widowhood, Anna remained steadfast in serving God in the temple. Her commitment is evident through continuous prayer, fasting, and unwavering dedication—night and day. Anna's life becomes a beacon of devotion, challenging common excuses for not serving the Lord.

Anna's encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ in the temple becomes a pivotal moment. Instead of diminishing her fervor, this encounter amplifies her gratitude, and she begins giving thanks to God. Witnessing Jesus doesn't lead to complacency but sparks a renewed passion for service. Anna's response teaches us that gratitude should be the driving force behind our commitment to serve.

Anna's life challenges prevalent hindrances to service, offering valuable insights for contemporary believers:

Age Is Not a Hindrance: Anna's story debunks the notion that age is a barrier to service. Whether young or old, Anna exemplifies that every stage of life is an opportunity to serve God. In many churches, elders dedicated to prayer ministries illustrate that age is no limitation to impactful service.

Circumstances Should Not Hinder Service: Widowed and living in specific circumstances, Anna's life shows that external factors should not hinder our commitment to serve God. Numerous church members, despite busy schedules, find ways to serve, emphasizing that circumstances should not dictate our service.

Gratitude Drives Continued Service: Anna's response to encountering Jesus teaches that gratefulness should motivate our service. When we recognize the salvation and blessings we've received, our desire to serve should naturally grow. Reflecting on the Christmas spirit, giving out of gratitude surpasses obligatory or compelled generosity. Similarly, our service to the Lord should flow from a heart of thankfulness.

Anna's life serves as an illustration that gratitude is a potent motivator. Serving Jesus with a grateful heart brings unparalleled joy and fulfillment. Anna's narrative resonates through the ages, urging believers to examine their excuses for not serving the Lord. Her unwavering dedication, even in challenging circumstances, inspires us to break free from limitations. As we encounter Jesus in our lives, may gratitude become the driving force behind our service toward Him. Let's echo Anna's spirit, serving Jesus with unwavering dedication and heartfelt gratitude. 

Be Eager to Embrace Jesus In Worship, In His House of Praise 

As we conclude our reflection on "What's Next After Christmas?" let's commit to a continuous journey of meeting Jesus in His house of worship. 

Follow Mary and Joseph's example by investing effort in preparing praise offerings to Jesus. Make your worship preparation a genuine and thoughtful expression of love for Jesus. Prioritize heartfelt preparation for worship to ensure your praise is a sincere offering.

Draw inspiration from Simeon's joy in encountering the Messiah. Attend church worship services with an eager heart, cherishing every moment as a divine encounter with Jesus. Consciously embrace the joy of worship, cherishing the moments in the house of praise.

Emulate Prophetess Anna's dedication and serve Jesus with gratitude, overcoming any excuses or hindrances. Let your service be a testament to the transformative power of gratitude in worship. Boldly engage in serving with renewed eagerness and gratitude, dispelling any hindrance.

Beyond Christmas, let our eagerness to meet Jesus in His place of worship intensify. May our continuous worship become a joyous expression of love for the Savior, marking the post-Christmas season with a deeper connection in His house of praise.