Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 10, 11, NKJV.
Father, as we draw close to the time when most of the world will be celebrating the birth of Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray that You will draw near to us, and remind us of what His birth represented for the entire human race. In the Savior’s name we humbly pray. Amen.
These words were first spoken to shepherds more than two thousand years ago; and they are just as vibrant, and life-giving, and encouraging, as on that first night! The shepherds were assured that there was nothing for them to be afraid of – for the One who would save them, the only One who could save them, had just been born! I wonder if those first hearers and bearers of the Gospel (Good News) knew what that message really meant! I wonder, if after more than twenty generations, we, in the twenty first century understand what it means?
I hope we do, for then, like the shepherds of old, we will know that there is nothing to fear! We will know that the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior, brought joy to the world! For a few days let us consider some of the things we have to rejoice about, because Christ was born.
One of the passages of Scripture that foretold of His birth reads as follows:
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.” Isaiah 9: 1-4, NKJV.
This promise was made to Israel of old; but notice, that at the birth of Jesus, the angel of the Lord said, “I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people[!] That includes you and me! Therefore, everything that I say from this time forward, is intended for you and me as well! Today let us consider the first of these promises:
“There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.” I say hallelujah to that! I do not know about you my friend, but I have had my share of gloom caused by distress. The fear of not knowing what will happen to our loved ones in a particular situation; the threat caused by debilitating illness; watching nature groan because of humanity’s thoughtlessness, have taken their toll on me. But thanks be to God, that is only one side of my story!
Let me bear witness to God’s unspeakable gift, by telling you the other side of my story: I have not been held captive by any of these circumstances! “Because He lives” I have been able to face all my tomorrows (Gloria Gaither)! I have been able to claim His promises, through intercessory prayer, on behalf of my loved ones! In His strength, I have defeated illness, and found comfort in God’s Word, that – one day, “Glory to God in the highest” – one fine day, the curse will be forever gone (Revelation 22: 3) – and there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress!
You and I can claim this promise today, because Jesus’ birth brought joy to the world!
We will continue tomorrow.