By Clint Cook

Since Christmas was just a few weeks ago, I thought I would share a short story about my four year old grandson, Samuel. With the family Christmas tree sparkling and the house decorated, it was no surprise that my grandson could barely contain his excitement about Christmas.  Shortly before Christmas, my daughter shared that Samuel had spent hours keeping busy by finding an old toy or other common item like a shoe, and wrapping it up in scrap Christmas wrapping paper.  When his “gift” was wrapped, he would carry the “gift” gently, sit in front of his mom and dad, and proceed to tear open the package to reveal the old, worn toy.  He would go so far as to practice his expressions of surprise and excitement so he would be ready when the real Christmas morning came.

I admit I have never heard of a child wanting to practice for Christmas in this way, but Samuel believed it made absolute sense to practice so he would be 100% ready for that special day – Christmas.

That story reminds me of what all believers should be doing in this new year of 2015.  Each and every Sunday this year we will gather together and, in some sense, unwrap the joy and celebration of the birth of Jesus through our worship and service to the Lord.  For some, this time of worship may actually look and feel a little old, worn, outdated, and no longer worthy of our excitement.  It is then that we must remind ourselves that each new worship experience is essentially a rehearsal or practice for that special day.  On that special day, there will no longer be things that are old, worn or boring.  Everything will be new!  On that special day we will see our Savior face to face!  The joy and excitement will be everything that the Apostle Paul said that it would be:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (I Corinthians 2:9)

Until that special day comes, each worship service should be a holy rehearsal.  We must practice our expressions of joy by rejoicing with new believers in their newfound faith and baptism.  We must practice our words of praise and adoration by proclaiming our love and appreciation for our Savior through preaching, singing and prayer.  We must direct our overwhelming anticipation for that special day by communicating an urgency for the lost to accept Christ as Savior through the services in our churches and our testimonies of God’s forgiveness, provision, and guidance to our friends, families and co-workers.  This holy rehearsal is not a child’s game – it is the most important thing any of us can do in 2015!

May all General Baptists practice, practice, practice until that real day comes!  May this year of 2015 be marked as a continuous celebration of worship, service and proclamation of opening the greatest Christmas gift ever – JESUS!