Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! 2 Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre. 3 Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast; 4 this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5 He established it as a statute for Joseph when he went out against Egypt, where we heard a language we did not understand. 6 He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. 7 In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah

The wise man Solomon tells us there is a time for everything. There is a time to rejoice and a time to mourn. There are times we should stand in reverent awe before God and reflect on his greatness, his goodness and even on his vengeance. At these times we may sit in total silence and fill our minds with God, who he is and what he has done for us. However, there are times that we need to celebrate these same attributes and these same things that God has done for us. For too many and too often our worship services are either from rote tradition and seem almost meaningless or they are orchestrated by planners to seem enthusiastic but are actually more entertaining than heartfelt celebration. The Apostle Paul said we are not to get drunk on wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit. It does not take a scholar to know that he is telling us to be enthused about our worship as we sing from the heart with thanksgiving to God.

We should not try to manufacture a false emotionalism but when we are overflowing with thanksgiving for all God has done we will demonstrate our emotions of joy. Not every worship service should be the same – as each has its own purpose – but each should be filled with deep emotion demonstrated for our God. We need to celebrate God as we contemplate his Son being born into this world. We celebrate his death on our behalf but even more his resurrection so that we might live with him forever. Hallelujah! Praise God!

O God, help me to never be so mundane in my worship that I fail to be filled with your Spirit. Help me to never put out the Spirit’s fire in my heart and in my life but allow him free course to move me to celebrate your goodness and your love. Use me to share that love with others. Please keep me from ever being consumed with my own righteousness. As I look at others and their failings, remind me of my constant need for forgiveness and fill my heart with compassion so that I don’t become judgmental. Use me to be a constant encouragement and help to others. I pray in Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we celebrate his love for us every day.