Merry Christmas

YouTube video: Joy to the World Instrumental 

and Brief Message

Direct link: https://youtu.be/C6Hm6IqPsJI

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 

One of the things you notice in the Christmas narrative is that every time an angel appears the first message is: “Do not be afraid.” 

We often do have many things in life that can make us afraid; however, Jesus said He has a type of peace for us “that passes all understanding.” Having that peace permeate into our inner being often comes with an understanding of the rest of the angelic message. 

The coming of Christ is Good News: For the Savior, Jesus Christ the Messiah, sent from Heaven, will take on and pay for our sin. Thus, those who receive and believe upon Him, no longer need to carry the weight of guilt and shame from our fallen condition. Christ came to ransom us from sin, once for all. 

 

Human beings are constantly searching for some way to have peace, looking in so many empty places. Christ, however, says that He will give us this peace, peace that passes all understanding. The apostle Paul in the Book of Romans Chapter 5 says that we now have peace with God, having been justified by His grace through faith. 

 

Having believed and received eternal life, the Lord seeks to continue working into our innermost being “a peace that passes all understanding.” Paul goes on to say this happens as we let the Holy Spirit fill us even to overflowing (Romans 15:13). 

The Holy Spirit is the true Spirit of Christmas as we see in the Christmas narrative. By letting the Holy Spirit fill us to overflowing, remembering that peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, we can have that peace “that passes all understanding” even in the midst of this crazy fallen world and all its problems. 

Praise God, the Lord gives us Good News of great joy and an everlasting peace! 

Merry Christmas and may God’s richest blessings be with you in the New Year! 

Bryan, Mercedes and Patrick Marleaux www.graceworldmission.org