To follow up on what we discussed this past Sunday, what exactly is
worship anyway? Is it what we do on Sunday morning? Is it only that?
Matthew and Luke were the only ones who recorded the Christmas narrative, and only Matthew uses the word
worship in direct reference to Jesus at his birth.
The word Matthew uses for worship in the Christmas story is proskuneó. I know you're probably just as confused as I am. Here's what that means: Pros = "towards" and Kyneo = "kiss."
Ancient Christians used the word to represent a
'kissing ground' between God and the church (us). The idea actually has even more ancient roots. Old Egyptian relics depict worshipers with arms outstretched to their deities, throwing them kisses (same word "
proskuneó").
To
WORSHIP FULLY, one thing we can ask ourselves in everything we do this Advent season is this:
Does
this create a "kissing ground" between God and us? In other words, "Does this create a moment of worship?"
Ask yourself that ...
... as you celebrate Jesus in community.
... on a wilderness walk.
... while shopping at the strip mall.
... after turning off the phone for a Saturday with the kids.
... while volunteering.
... in shopping mall parking lot traffic jams.
... while incurring credit card debt.
... while reaching out to someone who gets lonely for the holidays.
... while making a Christmas morning gift as a family to a cause that honors Christ.
Which of these - or anything else we do - creates a
'kissing ground' between God and us?
The ones that do, let's do more of them to WORSHIP FULLY.
Those that cause something else - like anxiety, guilt, frustration, isolation, or despair - let's consider doing less of them.