“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 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.’” Luke 2 (In my head, I’m hearing Linus in “Charlie Brown Christmas” as he recites the Christmas story).
Are we terrified of anything? Do we wake each morning drenched in fear of what the day will hold? Or do we wake up ready to embrace what God has planned, trusting Him completely? In the midst of being terrified, the angels brought good news – the Savior had come! In the midst of our fear God still gives us good news – He is with us. Emmanuel!
We don’t know what tomorrow holds: the hills, the valleys, the twists and turns. But God does. We can let the fear of the unknown overwhelm us, or we can embrace the path holding Jesus’ hand. We might run up the hill, or crawl down the path. We might slide into the valley or climb the mountain 2 steps forward and 3 back. And we will be terrified sometimes. But we are never alone. We have our Savior, our Redeemer, our King. “For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” He didn’t come to make everything work the way we want it. He came to save us from our sins, to save our very soul and awaken our spirit in Him.
My prayer for you is God’s peace and joy in the very depths of your soul, hope that strengthens and awakens your spirit, and a very blessed Merry Christmas!
Awake My Soul (It’s Christmas Time)
The Word was made flesh as the prophets foretold
Born of the Spirit He offered new hope.
He led and He taught and He showed how to walk.
He brought light to the darkness.
Awake my soul!
It’s Christmas time!
The Light has come and it’s time to shine.
Awake my soul!
Good news to tell.
For all who will hear, to all who receive,
This Light can live in you and me.
God so loved the world that He gave us His Son
(Who) gave up His Spirit to show us true love.
He bled and He died so with Him we can rise.
He is light in the darkness.
Our life needs to shine like the Bethlehem star
Our voice needs to rise, like (the) angels afar.
Led by the Spirit the world needs to hear it,
His light breaks the darkness.
Glory to God in the highest, true Light has come.
Glory to God in the highest, His will be done.
Awake oh sleeper. Rejoice!
Rejoice, for hope is born. by Shawn & Trish Caldwell