In a very real sense when "the Word became flesh and dwelled among us" the invitation to the Shepherds, the wise men and yes, to all was to . . . Come and Worship! God sent His Son into the world to be worshipped. As the carol says, "Come and worship the newborn King!"
Hebrews 7:19 says, "For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God." Our dilemma was how do we draw near to God. God's answer to that question was first of all . . . the glorious arrival of His Son among us. Then, the Bible makes it clear that in and through Him our own body is God's temple or dwelling place. Our spirit needs, desires, and wants closeness to God. We want to know Him personally, not as an idea, concept, principle or as some distant monarch or king.
We are shown in scripture that we can draw near through prayer, worship, and reading and meditating on God's word. We don't have to live like monks, but all of us could use more prayer in our lives. In our culture even in Christian circles, the practice and habit of worship has become a convenience to be wedged between sports, the busyness of life and other recreations. God calls us and challenges us, by His Spirit, to make worship our top priority. That is . . . both our daily personal worship and the gathering of the Body on a regular basis worshipping together. Bible meditation can include verse memory, songs, and personal reading in a quiet time. The Bible is God's Word . . . Him speaking to us.
If we are faithful to have God's word dwelling in our lives every day we will draw nearer to Him. So, as we begin the celebration of the coming of the King, let's . . . Come and Worship! mjm
