Let Us Go To Bethlehem: Worshipping Jesus Through Christmas

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“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

-Luke 2:15-20

Today is Christmas Eve, the day before we traditionally celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. For many of us, today and tomorrow will be like a blur. We might attend a Christmas Eve service at a local church (Come to Vintage Church’s Christmas Eve Gathering tonight at 5 pm. Find information here). We’ll then eat multiple meals and open gifts at various family homes. The day can come and go in the blink of an eye. While family events, gifts, and food are all good things, they are not the main point of Christmas. 

Luke 2:15-20 is an incredible passage that many of us are familiar with. This passage tells the story of the shepherds who heard of Jesus’ birth and, based on this announcement, went to visit Jesus. The shepherds were on a mission to get to Bethlehem. Their travels were not aimless. Rather, they went to Bethlehem to “see this thing that has happened.” They were headed to Bethlehem to see and worship Jesus who had just been born.

Today, we will have many good things that can distract us from the main point of Christmas: the worship of Jesus Christ. Rather than allow these things to distract us from Christmas, may they be catalysts to propel us toward the worship of Jesus. As we eat dinner and open gifts with family and friends, may we be like the shepherds. May we “go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” Whatever your plans may be for celebrating this Christmas, worship Jesus in everything you do.