Do Not Be Afraid
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Bee's Thoughts:
I still feel down and sick today. So I simply used work and doing things to distract myself from thinking too much.
We had a Christmas Service this evening at my church and I invited one of my non-Christian colleague to join me. She agreed and said she knew how to get to my church. However, she lost her way and only managed to reach my church about one hour after the service had started. Thank God that she persisted in finding her way there. During the service the famous harpist & guitarist, Alvaro Sanchez, played a number of beautiful songs for us. I felt so peaceful as if I was in heaven when I listened to them. At that moment, all my burdens seemed rolled away and all my fear gone.
Yes, in heaven there will be no more tear or sorrow. Jesus was born that we may have peace and abundant life. I need not be afraid of anything or anyone when Jesus rules my heart.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for being born that we may have peace and abundant life. Thank You for the songs I heard tonight that brought me peace in my heart in spite of my troubled body and soul. I pray for my colleague that she may join me in church again tomorrow. I pray that You will touch her heart with Your love.
In Your name I pray. Amen.
Tommy's Thoughts:
We often see how wonderful and beautiful the nativity scene was depicted in our greeting cards; where all the animals stand quietly and attentively looking at Jesus birth in the manger. In reality, the surrounding and atmosphere in the stable were noisy, dark and dirty. It was the worst place to give birth to a child, and definitely not a place where most has expected the Son of God will be born.
A preacher once asked why our God chose such a place for Jesus, He could have easily picked royal and grand surroundings. But, instead of limiting God by our own expectation, we should see how Jesus humbly subjected himself to such a condition since His birth to associate and identify with those who are lowly, oppressed and deserted by the society. And it shows how He is at work wherever He is needed regardless of how dark and dirty these places may be.
Dear Father, thank You for Your great love for us by sending Your only Son to restore our relationship with You. Teach me Lord not to underestimate what Christ has accomplished and how He can works great things in my life if I humbly allow Him to. Teach me to trust You for all things and submit to Your leading and teaching. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
