Good News and Great Joy

Dear Readers,

            Welcome to Week 4 of our 6-week slow stroll through the events leading up to the birth of Christ and the few days following. We will not cover every aspect of the Advent Story, but rather we will take time to read carefully and perhaps notice a few new things along the way. Our goal is deep thought, reflection, and introspection of our lives as a result of the wondrous birth of our Lord.

            Each day we will look at only a few verses, or some days only a single verse. Notice the Who? What? Where? When? and How? that might apply to each passage. You might ask yourself why the text was important then? and why it is important now? My commentary will be noticeably brief; the goal, as noted above, is personal thought, reflection and introspection. Blessings to you as we journey through the Advent Season together.

Week 4/Day 2, Tuesday

Luke 2:9-10  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

             Fear. That was the shepherds’ first reaction, and we can probably identify well with that emotion. It is beyond most of us to imagine a dark cold night being suddenly interrupted with the glory of the Lord. The presence of a visible angelic messenger in  the midst of such a sudden brilliant light would be terrifying indeed.

            The angelic messenger’s first words? Do not be afraid. The shepherds were given the honor to hear the good news intended for the ears of all people—a message of great joy.

            We have that same message today. It is not a message of fear, but one of great joy. Jesus Christ can be Lord and Savior of your life. He is as close as your next whispered prayer. Do not be afraid. Christ offers forgiveness and peace, hope and joy.

Prayer Suggestion:  Lay aside whatever fears and trepidations you may have fostered through the years. Ask Christ to be your Savior and the Lord of your life from this point forward.

 

The devotional Good News and Great Joy appeared first on Write From My Heart at 

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com