Every year it seems that Christmas really “hits me” that Christmas is here at a different point. Sometimes its the first time you hear your favorite christmas song on the radio. Sometimes its when you wrap the first gift. Sometimes its the first holiday party you go to. This year for me, it didn’t come until Christmas Eve (better late than never, right?!) and it came in the form of a 9 year old girl.
For some reason this year it just hasn’t FELT like Christmas. No idea why, it just sort of snuck up on me and I think I was in denial that it was actually this late in the month. Usually Sundays at church I sing with the worship band, but this year the Lord had other plans for me. Plans SO much better than I could have imagined. This year for our two Christmas Eve services I got to help with the elementary school program at church called KGB (Kids Going BANANAS!) and to be very honest, I had no idea what I was signing up for. I had heard about what they do at KGB but never had the opportunity to see it first hand; all I knew was that I loved being around kids and was willing to help with whatever they needed, and I had no idea how much it would bless me.
Up in the main sanctuary its common to see the congregation fully engaged in worship; we sing songs that hopefully invite the church to personalize them and lift their voice and heart to the Lord. Down in KGB they had created such an elaborate service for these kids using music (and lots of it!), dancing, skits, videos, and a message about why we celebrate Christmas and who Jesus is for them personally. After the message we sang the song “Our God” by Chris Tomlin and seeing the kids respond to this song was when it finally hit me. There was one little girl, probably about 9 years old, standing in the back of the crowd with her arms raised, eyes shut tight, and singing out the words to this song as loud as she could, and it was one of the most sincere moments of worship I have ever seen. It wasn’t about who was watching her or singing the song perfectly, it was about being thankful and praising her Heavenly Father. It was about hearing how Christ came into the world because God loved her SO much, and responding with a grateful heart. Seeing her so immersed in worship is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, and was such a clear picture and reminder for me in that moment of what this season is all about as she proclaimed these words:
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God you are higer than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God.. Our God!
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?
I hope you had the best day celebrating with all of your favorite people, Merry Christmas!
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What a beautiful Christmas story…the best I’ve heard this season. xoxoxo
what a beautiful post, Jessie! The feeling of Christmas hits me a different times too – and I love this season! In fact I’m still listening to Christmas music ;) I’m glad you had a wonderful Christmas with your friends and family!!! Eventhough this post did not feature a photograph, you painted a great picture of your interaction with this little girl who was praising the Lord =) Merry Christmas!