One Christmas Eve my girls got mad because we would be going to church Christmas morning. Their tinsel was in a tangle! Our normal "Santa" time would be later. Like this year, Christmas was on a Sunday. Why wouldn't we go to church? The Bible gives us lots of reasons so first of all we attend to be obedient. 1 Corinthians 12: 27, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." In church we sing, praising God! Ephesians 5: 19, "...speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,..." We also pray. And there is always wonderful fellowship.
Going to church is an expression of our love for God. When we realize how much He has done, is doing and will do for us we WANT to make the sacrifice to go and publicly worship Him. Matthew 10: 32:33, "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven."
While we go to church to praise God we are blessed by going. We reap the benefits. The primary purpose of going to church is to actually bring “service” to God as a blessing to Him. Psalm 134: 2, “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” Revelation 4:11, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” I go to church as an expression of my need for God and for God's family. And at Christmas it just seems like there is even more to thank Him for! The birth of the Christ child. Salvation that is so freely given! Eternal life! Being the child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
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