17-Dec-14

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14The placid heavens, doing their usual routine of sun, moon and stars, the wind and the clouds rushing around obliterating the light at times, then comes the “SUDDENLY’, a once in a eon’s time.  Suddenly!I know I would be fearful of the why of change.  The unknown often stops us in our tracks.  Can you imagine with me the placid scene of the shepherds watching their flocks in the fields?  While others were snug in their beds or feasting inside, the Heavens were jumping.  Angels?  A huge star, what could be happening?  CNN or FOX news weren’t available to tell explain what is happening, but prophecy had foretold this birth.  The shepherds were terrified.Some one once said that the first words out of the mouths of angels always calmed the fears first, “Do not be afraid.”  A person always needs to be comforted with that much glory all around.The MESSAGE!  It is all about the message then and it still is.  Jesus, the Messiah, the Lord is born!  And He will bring great — not just good — news for all people.  For you and me, 2000 years after Jesus came as a Babe, He brings us Joy with a capital ‘J’.  That Joy fills us when we weep, when we grieve, when we stub our hearts in our every day lives.  That Joy is spelled Hope, for each day brings us nearer to that Glory-Living that God’s Love has prepared for us.So this Christmas, let us look beyond the manger into the Glory of the Joy that our Loving Jesus gives.  Let us follow and Trust our Lord with each breath.  For He is our Savior, He and He Alone sacrificed His life on the Cross to give us the key to Glory.  Praise the Lord!