One of the most memorable moments I have ever experienced was exactly five years ago when I was with 20,000 other young adults unified as one body under the stars surrounding the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Chris Tomlin, David Crowder and Matt Redman led us all in a round of “Amazing Grace” as we all held candles and sang out in praise to our heavenly Father. Tonight I had a similar experience with a unified body of Christ under the stars right here in downtown Phoenix.
I was just chilling at home when some friends of mine called me up and asked me if I wanted to go to PhoenixONE tonight. I decided to go thinking there might a good sermon preached that would speak to me. They decided to switch gears on us and have us all walk through downtown Phoenix Christmas caroling instead of a normal worship gathering. At first I was a little disappointed. But then I got into the spirit of things and started to enjoy meeting new people and singing as we walked through the streets. They had us go down to Civic Space Park – home of the “Her Secret is Patience” artwork (I think it looks like a floating mushroom). There Brian Wurzell, Ike Ndolo, and Brian Whitman were set up to lead worship. About three hundred of us were led in some Christmas songs. I’ve been zoned in on this season of advent and the coming of Christ’s birth and the hope it brings to this broken world. As we sang “Silent Night”, I was reminded of a Redeemer that came to restore this world. Then we sang “God of the City” with the beautiful skyline in the background followed by “Amazing Grace”. It was a good night for me to be among good friends and to give back in praise and worship for all the work that God has done in me and for all the blessings he has given. I am thankful for the body of Christ and moments like this when we can come together unified to glorify God.