Advent Word: Worship

Today's Advent Word in the Advent Calendar I am following is 'worship'.

The word worship reminds me of 2 things that William Temple said about worship of God. The first answers the question, why worship? The second answers the question, what is worship?

The first is this:

"Worship is worthwhile because God is worthy 

and worship is God’s work in us."

In other words, worship is both something that the worshipper does and also something that God does in the person who worships. 

The second is a definition of worship which resonates with me:

“Worship is the submission of all our nature to God.

It is the quickening of conscience by his holiness;

the nourishment of mind with his truth;

the purifying of imagination with his beauty,

the opening of the heart to his love;

the surrender of the will to his purpose

– and all this gathered up in adoration,

– the most selfless emotion

of which our nature is capable….”

Source of quotes: Readings in St John’s Gospel, 1938/9 by William Temple, based on Gifford lectures given some months earlier.

Image Credit: warrengrieve on Pixabay, Pixabay License