Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord"
It has been a long time. I started a Bible study so although I only had one psalm left, I left it and devoted time to the other knowing around Christmas there would be a break in the Bible study and I would return to it then. God's timing is always amazing. I read Psalm 150 yesterday before church. The message was about Christmas. Seemingly the two wouldn't relate, but they do. As we rush into the season with the hustle and bustle and forget what and why we even celebrate, it behooves us to take a breath and praise the Lord.
So to get you there, we went to a few other places in scripture.
Isaiah 9: 6-7a, "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. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end." (a prediction of His coming and how He will rule)
Galations 4:4-7, "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'" So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir." (an explanation of why He came and what He has begun).
Christmas had come. The reason we celebrate Christmas is because of Easter...the risen Lord, the empty tomb. He had conquered death taking the penalty of our sin. And although He has risen, His work is not done. Neither is ours. We are to tell others about Him. He is working out His plan for the world that we cannot understand until He comes again. Christmas will come again.
We are between Christmases. Every time we celebrate until He comes again to set up His kingdom and a righteous government, we celebrate the Christmas that came, is coming and will come again.
We ended singing "Joy to the World". The author of the song wrote the lyrics talking about Christmas to come. The time when the world is set right and there will be no more tears, no more hatred..and EVERYTHING that has breath will praise the Lord.
