Worship Like the Angels
When I was in middle school, I had the privilege of being one of the angels in our church Christmas program. This wasn't your usual simple & sweet performance on Christmas eve. It was a 5 night production that included dessert and all the feels. Our congregation, which met in a gym, built a stage all the way around the four walls about 8 ft up in the air. The angels were dressed in flowing white, choreographed and back lit with a black light. It was grand. I remember it feeling heavenly and wishing I could worship God like the angels did that wondrous night.
And behold an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid.
Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:9-11
While I still haven't hung from the heavens singing my heart out, I have been blessed over the years with different opportunities to worship the Lord. Sometimes it was being part of a worship team, or leading a small discipleship group for people singing on stage. I even had a sweet season of leading worship for our youth group. For a long time now I've just been one of the many voices standing in church each Sunday. But that's okay because I learned a long time ago that true worship is not just the Sunday singing, but rather a way of life. We can take several cues from the angles who showed up the night of Jesus' birth on just how to worship.
When that first angel showed up, scaring the wits out of the shepherds, he had a job to do. He was to declare the birth of the Messiah. In his announcement the angel made three statements as to who Jesus was.
He is the Savior. This was His mission.
He is the Christ. This was His royalty.
He is the Lord. This was His authority.
Our worship - our lives are to declare the same thing to everyone who crosses our path.
Which leads to the why of the angel's worship.
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
Luke 2:14
The choir of angels were proclaiming the glory of God. And they declared who it was for...You..."for unto you is born this day." Yes, our worship is for God. He alone is worthy. But our worship should point people to the Lord. The multitude of angels singing motivated the shepherds to find the Messiah. It gave them a sense of urgency. When we live worshipful lives, others should feel the same inspired urgency to find the King.
So lift your hands in adoration on Sunday, sing your heart out in the cereal aisle, lend a helping hand to your neighbor, bear the burden of a friend. For when you do, you join with the multitudes.
You worship like the angels, So That all will know the glory of God.
