And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ 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.’ Luke2:13-14
Christ is Good News for He is that promised Messiah. He came to earth in such a humble way—a mere baby lying in a manger—because there was no room in the inn. Yet, He was surrounded by glory and supernatural signs and wonders. When we make room in our hearts and believe upon Him and receive Him, he cleanses us from all the stain and guilt of sin. Indeed, He gives us peace with God through His grace which is that unmerited favor which is given simply by faith in the Son of God.
We pray that His peace which passes all understanding will abide in your heart and life this Christmas and throughout the New Year.
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!
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
Luke 1:35
When you take a good look at the Christmas narrative it is amazing how much the Holy Spirit is mentioned again and again. Luke’s account stresses the role of the Holy Spirit in a major way and this continues on through his other book called Acts.
Even more amazing is that the same Holy Spirit is given to us freely as believers. Sometimes we don’t know how much we need something until a unique situation displays our need.
We were hiking through a desert area up to a mountain on one occasion when we ran out of water in the hot desert section of the hike. How quickly the body feels its lack! Our mouths quickly became parched and the heat amplified our need, as our bodies ached and weakness continued to grow. We finally dragged ourselves up into the cooler mountain area where there was a campground and a water spigot, hallelujah! Water never tasted so good!!
Jesus explained that the Holy Spirit is like the water we need to live. In fact, He referred to the Holy Spirit as living water. Billy Graham says in his book Peace with God that we should recognize our need for the Holy Spirit and pray that God not only fill us and help us but that we ask the Holy Spirit to take over in our lives so that we will find joy and peace, the fruits of the Spirit, as we yield completely to Him.
Praise God! Jesus came born in a manger and died on the cross to pay for our sins and freely give us favor with God the Father, that we might justified by grace and have peace with God. He gives us the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us as we walk with God.
May the Lord renew and refresh you in the power of the Holy Spirit this Christmas and into the New Year in the name of Jesus Christ who came to give us life!
The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God…” Luke 1:35 Jesus, the Son of God, God the Son. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, coming into the world to redeem us. Through faith in Him our sins are washed away, and we are credited with His righteousness which can never spoil nor fade. We pray that the Holy Spirit renew and refresh you this Christmas and into the New Year as we remember the Father’s precious gift of salvation given in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ! May God’s richest blessings be yours! Bryan, Mercedes and Patrick Marleaux www.graceworldmission.org
