Some look at Christmas and call it a magical time of year. I’m not fond of the word magical, but I will totally agree—it is an unusual, otherworldly season. Why? I don’t think the reason is a mystery.
Consider for a moment:
- At what other time of the year does the world pause and reflect on Jesus?
- When else do radio stations and public venues broadcast Christ-exalting Christmas carols? (Basically, worship music is being played across the world’s airways.)
- During what other holiday are people inclined to come to church and/or listen to you share about Jesus?
We catch a glimpse of why this season is so powerful in the prophetic anthem of praise that the angels sing before the onlooking shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)
When glory goes up, something supernatural comes down. When we give praise to God in the highest, something happens on the earth. Glory in the highest—and on earth. In Psalm 22:3, we see that God inhabits the praises of His people. If there were no illustrations of this actually happening in the Bible, I would say this verse was a proof text. It is not!
Throughout the Old Testament, we see instances where the sound of praise ascends to heaven and releases breakthrough on the earth. The power of a prophetic shout level the walls of Jericho (Josh. 6:20). King Jehoshaphat strategically positioned the singers and worshippers on the front lines of battle, and as they worshipped, God sent ambushes against the enemy forces (2 Chr. 20:20-22). Even in the New Testament, as Paul and Silas start singing praises, God’s power broke out and set them free from their chains—along with everyone else in the prison (Acts 16:25-26)!
If something going up to heaven in the form of praise causes the supernatural to be released into the earth, it goes without saying, then, that Christmas is perhaps the most supernatural time of year. Praise is being offered up around the world. As glory goes up, the kingdom is surely coming down and breaking in. The Spirit of God is moving. Blinders that prevent people from beholding the light of the glorious gospel are being penetrated by the powerful presence of God.
