the 8th day of Christmas

On the eighth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, eight modes of worship, seven crazy feelings, six proclamations, five broken dreams, four upset parents, three gifts from wisemen, two speaking prophets, and a great big herd of bleating, dumb sheep.

Not everyone is going to like the same thing. I think that's why the "worship wars" are so hurtful and damaging to people.  We all have something that sparks our emotions and makes us feel in tune with God, but is that really what worship is all about? One of the songs we sang in our Christmas cantata this year took the words from Christina Rosetti's poem "What Can I Give Him?".  I have always loved the poem; the song, not quite so much. But what I did absolutely love was Lucado's narrative placed before the song. Here's an excerpt:

When the wise men did find the Christ child, they fell down and gave Him the gift of worship. In worship, we simply stand before God with a prepared and willing heart and let God do His work. And he does. He wipes away the tears. He mops away the perspiration. He softens our furrowed brows. He touches our cheeks. He changes our faces as we worship. The wise men sought and found the Child of God. They gave Him the "gifts of hope, time and worship. Three gifts the wise still give."

That passage is beautiful from an emotional stand point, but also on a deeper level as well. It's a reality checklist, if you will.

1. Am I willing to humble myself and fall prostrate in worship of the one who made me?
2. Do I prepare my heart before I come into God's presence?
3. Am I willing to let God have HIS way?
4. Do I truly desire for God to wipe away my tears, or do I willingly wallow in my own private pity party?
5. Do I perceive his "tasks" as work and perspire, or am I so grateful to be a part of His plan that I only find gratitude?
6. Am I trusting Him, or am I holding to the reigns of control in my life so tightly that my forehead is creasing?
7. Has the joy in my heart reached my face?  So many times people tell me I look like I've lost my best friend, when inside I'm very content and happy.  I try to joke about it, but sometimes that really bothers me.  Am I truly rejoicing in Him?
8. Am I placing my hopes for today and the future, which involves my times, and what I do (which in and of itself is worship) in the Christ?

So today, in the midst of everyone else's hustle and bustle, in a holiday season that rejoices in the delight and wonder of children, may I once again find my delight in the true reason for the season: the Christ child, and the birth of hope and salvation for mankind.