“The Day After Christmas”
Luke 2:8-20 (20 key verse)
12-26-2010 AM
This in an interesting day.
It is the day after Christmas.
Presents are all opened and the family Christmas meal has been eaten.
So the question to ask is what do we do now?
This seems almost anticlimactic (a let down).
But I believe if we look at the life of the Shepherds we can get a little help.
I. And The Shepherds Returned
Interesting that after such a big moment in their lives they would head back to the sheep.
Why not sell the sheep take up the cause and hit the road preaching the good news?
Clearly they have a change in their lives.
Clearly they have meet God in the flesh.
Now go back?
A. I believe they went back because God would use them right where they are.
B. They went back to there old life but not to their old living.
II. Glorifying God
Glorify = Honour, have glory, magnify, or make glorious.
1) The root also includes the word “to think”, suppose, be of opinion”
2) to honour, do honour to, hold in honour
3) to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged
Clearly these men did not remain silent!
They went forth and spoke with boldness
III. Praising God
Praise =
1) to praise, extol, to sing praises in honour to God
2) to allow, recommend
3) to promise or vow
Psalms 79:13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
Praise = glory, boast, shine,
1) to shine
1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God’s favour)
1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
2) to praise, boast, be boastful
2a1) to be boastful
2b1) to praise
2b2) to boast, make a boast
2c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
2d) (Hithpael) to boast, glory, make one’s boast
2e) (Poel) to make a fool of, make into a fool
2f) (Hithpoel) to act madly, act like a madman
Psalms 86:12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
Praise = make confession
1) to throw, shoot, cast
1a) (Qal) to shoot (arrows)
1b) (Piel) to cast, cast down, throw down
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to give thanks,, laud, praise
1c2) to confess, confess (the name of God)
1d) (Hithpael)
1d1) to confess (sin)
1d2) to give thanks
Root word of Praise = to stretch out (hand)
Sounds to me like praising God will take a little effort?
We need not just sit and Praise the Lord
We may need to raise a hand?
We may need to stand and shout?
God does not need our praise but we need God and will find His presents through our praise.
Conclusion:
I guess the question is;
What will you do the day after you have met God?
He is worthy of our Praise
He is waiting for our rejoicing
He waits for our voices to make known.
