December 2024
Often when things are darkest, God makes himself known
We are just coming out of the Thanksgiving holiday and moving to the season of Advent leading up to the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior. It is a busy time, but a time to remember to keep our focus always on Jesus and his mission for us – creating more disciples from those who do not
yet know him. This is part of the story of the birth of our Savior from the gospel of Luke (Chapter 2):
8 – Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 – And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
10 – 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.
11 – For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 – And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
The Rev. Billy Graham once wrote: “The first Christmas worship service was conducted not in a temple, a cathedral, or a synagogue, but in the great outdoors. The tidings of Christ’s birth echoed in the skies as the angel of the Lord proclaimed the good news to the lowly shepherds. Do you think it strange that this glad word was not first given to priests, the scholars, or the Pharisees? The reason is clear: God speaks to those who are prepared in their hearts to listen. Apparently, these humble shepherds were prepared and therefore able to discern the voice from Heaven above the noisy din of earth’s confusion. It is also significant that this angelic message was delivered at night. It was night not only because the sun had gone down, but because the world was shrouded in spiritual and moral gloom – just as it is today.
Often when things are darkest, God makes himself known. Is it night for you this Christmas season? If so, may Jesus reveal himself to you in a powerful and real way. Like the shepherds, prepare your heart to hear his message – the message of God’s love and forgiveness and peace because Christ has come.
Peace and blessings,
Sam