It was potluck Sunday. The welcome and announcements in the service had just taken place. The congregation had sung a few songs, and the worship leaders were preparing lead the congregation in another one. The piano player played the introduction to The First Noel. Then it happened. The shrill noise that everybody hates: the fire alarm. One of the ladies had left her dish of rice in the oven in the kitchen downstairs and it had burnt. Before anyone knew it, fire trucks were pulling into the parking lot. Did the pastor stop the service, though? Nope! So there was the church, singing The First Noel while the fire alarm screeched and the basement filled with smoke.
Fictional story? I wish. It is indeed a true story, which took place at my wonderfully unique church yesterday morning. Ah, never a dull moment.
But what's my point? It's very simple really. While the fire alarm trilled yesterday, the lady leading worship got up and said, "It's good that the fire alarm went off, because now we have to focus entirely on worshiping." This Christmas season, what are you doing? Are you worshiping the One who is worthy of it? It's easy for all of us to forget worship in the midst of this hectic winter month, but that doesn't make it right. So, this Christmas, let's heed 1 Chronicles 16:29 and "ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness."