A Meaningful Celebration this Season (on Praise and Worship)

​by Micah Tecne

This month is indeed a season of celebration to us as individuals, family and a nation. It is a season where we remember and rejoice of what the Almighty God has given us as the greatest gift - Jesus Christ. It is a time where we hear laughter, singing and dancing, we see fireworks; we prepare for gift giving and other means of rejoicing. We usually emphasize that Jesus is indeed the reason for this season, the reason to rejoice and give praise. Sadly, with the worldwide pandemic and the devastation brought by typhoon Odette, many lost properties and love ones. Some are trying to revive and restore what can be restored. Many may struggle from frustration and disappointment, asking the Almighty why he allowed this. Is there still a reason to rejoice and celebrate?

It is often said that problems and trials make one strong. But we cannot deny the fact that when we are in the situation where everything is breaking apart and we feel that there is no one to run to or feel that God is not moving, we tend to let these negative thoughts consume us. When this happens, we sometimes find ourselves having no reason to rejoice in this time of the year and no reason to praise and worship the One who gave us the greatest gift of all.

A true story in the early times talks about Paul and Silas who were falsely accused, stripped, beaten with rods and brought to prison with chains and stocks fastened on their feet. They were struggling physically, emotionally and mentally. But about midnight they prayed and sang hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains became loose.

This story reminds us that praising and worshipping God is beyond how we feel and circumstance we are in. It is building an altar for God in our hearts. An attitude of the heart that reflects our faith in Him that He is able to carry us through in every season. That someone sovereign is indeed above what we feel and face right now. It is a declaration of who God is, believing that He will manifest His strong presence and power over us and our circumstances.

A song written by Don Moen entitled “I Will Sing” reminds us that we may feel that God seemed so far away that we cannot already pray because we do not know what to say or where to start. But as He gives us grace: I will sing, I will praise Even in my darkest hour Through the sorrow and the pain I will sing, I will praise, Lift my hands to honor You because Your word is true, I will sing As we remember the scene in the birth of Jesus when a great company of heavenly host appeared in front of the shepherds praising God saying “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” Let this also be a reminder for us that we can still rejoice by praising and worshipping God because His peace and favor still rests on us.