December 23
Adore
By Kendra Roehl, excerpted from One Good Word a Day
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.– Isaiah 9:6, NIV
Christmas was my favorite time of year as a child. I loved everything about the season, especially attending Christmas Eve services at our church. We would come to the church late at night, bundled up against the cold outside, the sanctuary dimly lit. We’d quietly enter and be handed a candle. Finding a pew, we’d sit and wait while the room slowly brightened as one candle was lit off another around the room, finally reaching our row. The piano would begin to softly play as some would stand and others sat. We would sing songs and carols and then take time to pray communally, remembering with gratitude the birth of Jesus. It was such a peaceful moment in our little community: I remember feeling completely safe and loved as we’d sing songs of adoration to Jesus.
Finally, we would finish the service with the chorus, “O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!” My heart always bursting with love and adoration for Jesus. Even today, I’ll find myself humming this tune as I pull out Christmas decor and string lights. Taking time to truly adore Jesus with a grateful heart for coming to earth as a human being is my favorite part of the Christmas season.
He is to be adored. Not just for what he has done, but simply for who he is. Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. These are just a few of his names that we remember, especially this time of year. And as I ponder who he is, I wonder, Is there any better news than Jesus coming to earth? Than all that he offers us? The reconciliation and peace he ushers in is enough to adore him all year long, not just at Christmastime.
Lord, thank you for coming to earth. For offering us redemption. For being all that we need and all that we could ever hope for. We love you. We adore you. Amen.
One Good Step:
Write down some of the names of Jesus that mean the most to you, then spend a few moments adoring him.
One Good Word a Day
365 Invitations to Encourage, Deepen, and Refine Your Faith