The Christmas Story…Our Response to an Encounter with Christ.

Ever noticed what happens when people encounter Christ?

As I read the Christmas story, I couldn’t get away from the response.  The response people had when they encountered Christ.  Each encounter was different, but each response was remarkedly similar.

Follow me…

Luke 1 tells us Gabriel had been sent to Zechariah to deliver a message to him from God.  Although Zechariah’s initial response was fear and doubt, his eventual response was praise and glory to God.  (Note to self–God gave Zechariah enough time with his mouth closed to make sure when he opened his mouth, his response would be praise and glory to God.)

Elizabeth became filled with the Holy Spirit when she encountered Mary pregnant with Jesus.  She exclaimed:  “Blessed are you among women…”.  Mary then responded with, “My soul glorifies the Lord..”. (Luke 1)

The night of Christ’s birth, an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds in the fields  The glory of the Lord shone around them.  Then a heavenly hosts of angels began praising God:

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

Once the shepherds encountered the baby Jesus for themselves, they returned glorifying and praising God. (Luke 2:20)

When Simeon (a righteous and devout man) encountered baby Jesus in the temple, he praised God and blessed them. (Luke 2:28-34)

When Anna (a widow who never left the temple but worshiped night and day) encountered baby Jesus in the temple, she gave thanks to God. (Luke 2:38)

When the Magi saw the child with his mother Mary…

they bowed down and worshipped him.

Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)

This Christmas season, I pray we will have an encounter with Christ.  And our response to Christ will be to give. 

We will give worship, praise, glory, thanks, blessings and gifts.