Over the past few weeks, we have been in a series called “Unwrapping Christmas,” where we have been looking at deeper truths revealed in the birth of Christ.

• We have learned that the promises of God are yes and amen, and that He will do what He says He will do in His timing.
• We looked at how the plans of God for our lives will often interrupt our own plans. But what looks like interruptions are often divine invitations.
• Last week, we talked about the presence of God, which is Emmanuel, God with us. The name itself revealing the heart of God in that He desires relationship with us, and how in his presence is everything we need.

This week, we are going to wrap up this series by looking at one final detail of the story of Christ’s birth. I want to look at heaven’s response to Christ’s birth.

As we begin, I want to make a clear statement: “The only reasonable response to God’s promise, plan, and presence is worship and praise.”

When you begin to see and encounter God, worship is the only reasonable response. If we struggle in the area of worship, then it is safe to say we have an encounter problem.

Here is the truth: when you behold Him consistently, it will lead you to the place of personal encounter. The result of personal encounter is that you will become a worshipper.

I believe Psalm 100 captures the essence of this statement best.

Worship is our response when we begin to see the goodness, mercy, grace, and truth of God. When we behold His goodness, it will naturally cause gratitude and thanks to arise in our hearts.

Last week, as I shared about how God doesn’t need us, but He desires a close relationship with us. That He could have chosen not to extend mercy, to promise redemption, to reveal himself through the law and temple worship, to come in the form of His own creation, and become the needed sacrifice for sin.

The realization that He doesn’t owe us anything but chose to extend mercy and forgiveness anyway should cause any person with understanding to shout out praise to God!

The heart of worship and praise comes when we gain proper perspective of God through personal encounter. We must learn to be seekers of the goodness of God, because His goodness is all around us all the time.

A key aspect of worship is understanding that worship is not about me. Worship is for God’s pleasure, not our personal gratification.

If we carry a consumer mindset into our relationship with Jesus, we will think worship is about what I can I get out of it. Worship is an upward response of the heart. I simply add my voice to all of creation, declaring the magnificence and beauty of God.

Worship isn’t a genre of music or a time slot in a service once a week. Worship is a lifestyle of recognizing God’s goodness and responding to it.

Opportunities for worship arise in the mundane aspects of our everyday life. It’s found in the dedication of our work as unto the Lord.

If we woke up today and have breath in our lungs, if our family is healthy, if we have strength in our bodies, if we have seen the Lord’s provision in our lives, if we have good relationships around us, etc., we have reason to give thanks and praise to God.

Worship is about a proper orientation of our hearts. It is about vertical alignment and personal encounter.

A key factor that I love about worship is this. Worship attracts the presence of God.

As you draw near to Him, He draws near to you.

When you practice a lifestyle of worship, you begin to recognize and see God everywhere you look. You see Him in the little moments at home, in creation, at work, in the storms of life, on the mountain, in the valley, and just about everywhere else in between.

The beauty of a lifestyle of worship is that it draws you deeper into relationship with the Lord. It’s not a religious ritual requirement; it’s a response.

As you study the word, you begin to see the fullness of what He has done for us, the extent of His mercy, the power of His grace, and it causes you to praise Him.

Let me conclude with a final observation about worship. Worship doesn’t depend on your emotional state. You may feel distant from God or are going through a tough time, learn to worship Him anyway.

Why? Worship is about who God is, not what you’re going through. Praise and worship will shift your emotional state and your perspective because they shift your gaze back to the truth of who God is.

So, when you feel distant, disconnected, depressed, sorrowful, or overwhelmed, stop and take time to worship. Allow the revelation of God’s splendor, beauty, and majesty to open your eyes once again to the goodness of the Lord.

The result will be the refreshing of your soul as His presence draws near, and you will gain strength for the road ahead.