I love the quiet of riding in the dark and the peace of stars twinkling overhead.”
–Ron Schwab (Beware a Pale Horse)
“I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
–John 14:27 (NLT)
——————————–
“Good news!” Wouldn’t that be a change? There is so much doom and gloom, hatred and bitterness in the news and going on throughout the nation and the world that good news is seldom heard. But that was the message that we were and are given by the angels that night long ago in Bethlehem. This is the good news of salvation, peace on earth, and joy to all people.
Christmas? Too early! No, it should be celebrated in our hearts all year long if we are truly born-again believers. Our hearts should be joyous and filled with peace despite what is going on around us. People clamor for peace, but there can be no true peace unless there is first peace with one’s Maker. Charles L. Childers said, “Peace between man and God is an essential prerequisite to peace between man and his fellowman.” Let’s look back at that night when the skies were suddenly burst asunder by a mighty voice of an angel. (I normally use the NKJV version but am going to go with NLT this morning) First the preface to the short angelic hymn.
“That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior–yes, the Messiah, the Lord–has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David. And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!’ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others–the armies of heaven–praising God: (Luke 2:8-13)
Angelic hymn: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.” (Luke 2:14)
Link to the Psalms: “Praise the Lord! Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven!” (Psalm 148:1-2, NLT)
WOW! Can you even imagine? There is a great lesson here–never forget your experiences with the Lord. There are experiences in life that we may have only once, do not forget them. Peter, James and John would never forget the transfiguration, Jacob would never forget wrestling with the Lord, thus we should never forget those wonderful experiences that we have had. Let no one take them away from you. They are yours and they add to your faith.
“Good news of great joy for everyone!” It is there–the good news. Rejoice in it, if you have received and partaken of that wonderful news of the Savior and have received Him. Great joy for everyone? Yes, yes, if they partake and believe in the good news. We have this tremendous joy given to us by the Holy Spirit, not only when we celebrate Christmas but every day of the year. Christmas brings us that great “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” The world may cry for peace, but my friend, if we have the Holy Spirit residing in us, that peace overflows like a river.
So this holiday (holy-day) season partake of the riches of this joy and peace, and if you haven’t done so before, let it fill your heart and flow through your being throughout the year.
“On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring,
News of great joy, news of great mirth, news of a merciful Savior’s birth.
Then why should men on earth be sad, since our Redeemer made us glad,
When from our sin, He set us free, all for to gain our liberty?”
–Luke Wadding
“I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
–John 14:27 (NLT)
——————————–
“Good news!” Wouldn’t that be a change? There is so much doom and gloom, hatred and bitterness in the news and going on throughout the nation and the world that good news is seldom heard. But that was the message that we were and are given by the angels that night long ago in Bethlehem. This is the good news of salvation, peace on earth, and joy to all people.
Christmas? Too early! No, it should be celebrated in our hearts all year long if we are truly born-again believers. Our hearts should be joyous and filled with peace despite what is going on around us. People clamor for peace, but there can be no true peace unless there is first peace with one’s Maker. Charles L. Childers said, “Peace between man and God is an essential prerequisite to peace between man and his fellowman.” Let’s look back at that night when the skies were suddenly burst asunder by a mighty voice of an angel. (I normally use the NKJV version but am going to go with NLT this morning) First the preface to the short angelic hymn.
“That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior–yes, the Messiah, the Lord–has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David. And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!’ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others–the armies of heaven–praising God: (Luke 2:8-13)
Angelic hymn: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.” (Luke 2:14)
Link to the Psalms: “Praise the Lord! Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven!” (Psalm 148:1-2, NLT)
WOW! Can you even imagine? There is a great lesson here–never forget your experiences with the Lord. There are experiences in life that we may have only once, do not forget them. Peter, James and John would never forget the transfiguration, Jacob would never forget wrestling with the Lord, thus we should never forget those wonderful experiences that we have had. Let no one take them away from you. They are yours and they add to your faith.
“Good news of great joy for everyone!” It is there–the good news. Rejoice in it, if you have received and partaken of that wonderful news of the Savior and have received Him. Great joy for everyone? Yes, yes, if they partake and believe in the good news. We have this tremendous joy given to us by the Holy Spirit, not only when we celebrate Christmas but every day of the year. Christmas brings us that great “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” The world may cry for peace, but my friend, if we have the Holy Spirit residing in us, that peace overflows like a river.
So this holiday (holy-day) season partake of the riches of this joy and peace, and if you haven’t done so before, let it fill your heart and flow through your being throughout the year.
“On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring,
News of great joy, news of great mirth, news of a merciful Savior’s birth.
Then why should men on earth be sad, since our Redeemer made us glad,
When from our sin, He set us free, all for to gain our liberty?”
–Luke Wadding