25 Days of Christmas - Day 2

Today is an exciting day for me as we kick off Christmas at Bridges of Hope Fellowship!  We launch our new service times at 9:30 & 11 a.m. this morning, along with our new Christmas series: CAROLS. We'll be taking a look at "O Holy Night" and the events surrounding the song.

Today is also monumental for our church as we will be voting to build a 9,000 sq. ft. addition on to our facility to handle the growth that we're experiencing.  God is pouring out His favor upon us and we're making it hard to get to hell from Warren County!

Tonight, we'll gather for our Annual Church Family Christmas Dinner as we enjoy some great food, fellowship, singing, and laughter as the body at Bridges of Hope.  Join us today for all that God has in store for us and see what the excitement is all about for yourself!

In thinking of favorite Christmas Carols, this morning, I want us to look at Angels We Have Heard On High.  It comes from Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  The lyrics go something like this...

Sweetly singing ore the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in Excelsis Deo

Angels we have on heard high

What gives you awe? What things cause you to become speechless when you see them? Is it the sight of a family member you haven't seen in years? Is it visiting a majestic place like a mountain or a historical place like the ancient pyramids of Egypt? The night Christ was born was the most monumental and awe-inspiring event that as ever occurred in human history as God sent His one and only Son to earth so that we could ultimately have eternal life.

There has not been an event in history before or after Christ's birth that resulted in such celebration that the angels themselves made their physical presence known and their voices heard in song. Can you imagine how the shepherds' jaws must have dropped at the site and sounds of the angels? That moment was so majestic that we probably cannot fully comprehend what it was like because honestly, none of us have encountered such a sight.

It seems like people tend to have fewer experiences these days of complete awe. Technology has brought so much of the world to our living rooms and fingertips that we can see anything we want and feel like we are at anyplace we want to be. Unfortunately, most of us probably have fewer awe-inspiring moments with God like we should. Our relationship with Him often becomes too comfortable and even ordinary.

This Christmas, make an attempt to regain those awe-inspiring moments with God. Strive to make your relationship with Him something so inspiring that it causes you to rejoice like the angels did. Don't let your relationship with Him be ordinary, but rather make it extraordinary.

Describe some of the awe-inspiring moments you've had with God. How have these moments impacted you?

What changes do you need to make in your life so that you can start having more awe-inspiring moments with God?