25th December Advent Devotion – Do not be afraid I bring you Good News
Hello,
The Angel said “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news”
There is so much fear in our world and indeed our lives today. Fear on a global scale about terrorism and war; Fear that impacts Nations on many levels. Within the UK, the impact of Brexit, and the growing poverty in our towns and cities as a result of the Government’s Austerity measures carries genuine concern and fear for many. Added to these are the personal fears we face. Perhaps fears about work, or safety, or how others see and relate to us. Fear today is epidemic and its robbing us of health, security and peace.
 ‘In the beginning’ sculpture of The Christ Child at St Martin in the Field by Mike Chapman – photo by Karen Way |
The Shepherds and Angels – Luke 2:8-20
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
As Christ is born, so His Peace is given.
As we receive Christ daily in our hearts and lives, we welcome Jesus Prince of Peace.
His peace is unrelated to circumstances; it’s a goodness of life that is not touched by what happens on the outside
Colossians 1 says that Christ “made peace through the blood of His cross…. So Paul says we are no longer enemies but are at peace because we are reconciled.
It is as if God were on one side, we were on the other side, then Christ filled the gap, taking the hand of God and the hand of man and placing them together into the same grip. We’ve now been brought together through the blood of the cross of Jesus Christ.
Our worship this Christmas Day comes from Kristin Bates with Will Reagan & United Pursuit. “Let it Happen” proclaims
“You’re full of life now,
You’re full of Passion,
Its how he made you,
Just let it happen.”
Bless you this Christmas time, I pray that you may know the peace, joy and above all, love that calls you ever deeper into God’s heart for you.
For me, Advent has opened up a very special space, a portal into a deeper encounter and joy in God’s presence. Through it, He is sustaining me in a profound way, filling me with hope, assurance and comfort, affirming our relationship and the road we are walking. together.”
I would love to hear from you how you have found this advent journey, yet the most important thing is that you evaluate this journey for yourself. Will you commit to set aside an hour of quiet in the midst of Christmas celebrations and journal your thoughts, feelings and responses to the journey we’ve made?
Advent Evaluation
Here are a few questions to help you consider and evaluate what it means to you.
What new aspects of God have touched your heart?
How has this time impacted your relationship with Jesus? With Father? With Holy Spirit?
What things will you take into 2018?
If there is one change you really want to see in your life next year, what is that?
What help or support do you need to see it happen?
Some Feedback for me.
As I continue to blog sharing my relationship with God, are there particular areas of what our relationship with God looks like that would be helpful for you?
If you would like to share anything with me, please leave me a comment or use my contact form.
Thank You
I would love to hear from you how you have found this advent journey, yet the most important thing is that you evaluate this journey for yourself. Will you commit to set aside an hour of quiet in the midst of Christmas celebrations and journal your thoughts, feelings and responses to the journey we’ve made?
Advent Evaluation
Here are a few questions to help you consider and evaluate what it means to you.
What new aspects of God have touched your heart?
How has this time impacted your relationship with Jesus? With Father? With Holy Spirit?
What things will you take into 2018?
If there is one change you really want to see in your life next year, what is that?
What help or support do you need to see it happen?
Some Feedback for me.
As I continue to blog sharing my relationship with God, are there particular areas of what our relationship with God looks like that would be helpful for you?
If you would like to share anything with me, please leave me a comment or use my contact form.
Thank You
Great tips! The photos are beautiful, makes me want to visit Thailand asap. Harlene Wash Weyermann