Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and
his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Psalm
100:4
Consider
the praise of those in the Christmas story:
My soul glorifies the Lord and my
spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state
of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the
Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.
—Mary, Luke 1:46-49
Praise be to the Lord, the God of
Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. —Zachariah,
Luke 1:68
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those whom his favor rests. —Angels, Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those whom his favor rests. —Angels, Luke 2:14
Look at each praise. What specific things do
they praise God for?
Praise was Mary’s response when Elizabeth’s
baby leaped for joy in her womb. It was Zachariah’s response when John was born,
and the shepherds watched angels praise God above the fields on the night of
Jesus’s birth.
The Psalmist wrote, “Enter His gates with
thanksgiving and his courts with praise.” When we praise God we literally enter
His court… the place where His presence dwells. It seems only natural this is
where our prayers might begin.
What gift can we bring Jesus as we begin our
Advent season? Give Him the gift of praise through prayer.
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