Sunday December 19, 2010 week 4 of the series

Habakkuk 2:14

For the earth will be fille with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Luke 2:8-20

And there were seprds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to thoseon whom his favor rests.”  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepards said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the sheperds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The sheperds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the hings they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Isaiah 40:3-5

A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain an hill mae low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.  And the glory of the LORD will be revealed and all people will se it together.  For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Hebrews 10:19-21

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurane of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

How can you encounter God’s glory this Christmas?

1. Recalibrate your expectations.

2. Enter the Most Holy Place.

A lot.

With expectation.

And gratitude.

3. Do what God tells you.

4. Prize the journey with God as being the gift your looking for.

5. Enjoy every aspect of Christmas.