There is a powerful story about worship recorded in the Bible in Matthew 2:1-12. Here we have the account of men from a religious class from the region of Iran. They specialized in astrology, medicine, and natural science.  (Their study of astrology was not the same as modern astrology.)

These men set out on a mission to find the King of the Jews and to worship Him. "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."  (verse 2)

These were scholars who had to travel many days and miles to find the Christ Child born in Bethlehem. Today, we do not have to travel to worship, but we can travel in our hearts by crossing over our attitudes and affections. We can rightly place Jesus Christ in the very center of our hearts so that pure devotion and worship spring forth.

We can be like Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she rejoiced in her heart with worship and praise. Luke 1:46,47, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior."

I like the word holiday. Just the thought of celebrating is something I look forward to. The word comes from "holy," plus "day" - (a holy day).

1. It can be a day set aside for special religious observance

2. A day of freedom from work; especially one in commemoration of an event

3. A vacation

I am so glad God loves holidays. He planned the greatest holiday ever. It was "out of this world!" The first holiday plans originated in heaven.

God planned two trips for His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The first trip happened in very humble surroundings - a feed trough (open box for livestock feed) for the Savior's baby bed.

Our Lord Jesus chose to lay down His royal robes for a season and allowed Himself to be wrapped in long strips of cloth (swaddling cloth for infants).

We can easily see that a joyful Christmas holiday can be maintained by the lowly in heart (those who will humbly love and serve others).

The second trip that Christ will make will be the holiday of all holidays! (Talk about taking a break, celebrating with friends and family, dining in elegance...) The Second Coming of Christ will be a time you will never forget. Put it on your calendar!

You can make a reservation by placing your trust in the gift of Christ. He is worthy of our celebration and praise.

HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE GIFT?  I ask you to search your heart. Have you received the gift of eternal life by asking God to forgive your sin and asking the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your heart? 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Pray the prayer below to ask Jesus into your heart. He is the perfect gift just for you!

God, I believe Jesus Christ is your Son and He died on a cross for my sins and has been raised from the dead. God forgive my sins, wash me in the blood of Jesus. Jesus, come and live inside of my heart. I believe I am now saved and made new, as I confess Jesus Christ is Lord and Master of my life!

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time of the year. Do I enjoy all the good food and especially the desserts?  Yes, I really do! I would also like to think that I am blessed by focusing on the goodness of God.

In past years, when my mother and dad came to visit for Thanksgiving, I always asked Dad to share thoughts about the Lord.  He loved to read from Psalm 100:4-5, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations."

What is thanksgiving to God?  It is gratitude - a grateful language to God. It is an act of worship.  Strong's concordance states that thanksgiving can be an extension of the hand in adoration. It can also be a choir of worshippers, a sacrifice of praise, or an offering.