"Do not be afraid"... there has been born for you a Savior...

Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem

2 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. ² This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. ⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, ⁵ in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. ⁶ While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. ¹⁰ 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 the people; ¹¹ for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁵ When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

My thoughts today are simple. No deep message, no new revelation. “Do not be afraid;   for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; ... there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. That same message that the shepherds heard from the angel of God is my message today. Christ has come! There has been born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord.

"For all the people", Christ the Lord has come. Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, the name above all names, “Do not be afraid". He is I Am. He has come to answer and fill every need of every man, woman and child. Today though, you won't find Him wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Today He is with God the Father in heaven. Romans 8:34 says  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. The good news I bring is that you can see Him there. Because He came and completed His work of redemption and restoration, we can come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.(Hebrews 4:16) We can see Him in the heavenly realm. "Do not be afraid". Rather, behold Christ. Look at Him! There is grace for every need.

If  you have seen Christ, your response should be as the shepherds. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Glorify and praise God for all you have seen and heard.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you who read "nuggets" and follow any of the pages on veins of truth. In many ways you have become my church and my family. Though we might not see each other or even communicate directly we are connected, one in Christ. Jesus prayed for us in the garden before His crucifixtion.

John 17: ²⁰ “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

So to each of you I want to say, I wish you this day all the peace and joy,  all the love and blessings that our Lord came to bring. I wish you and all you know and love a very merry Christmas!

Take a moment to listen to this song. Enjoy, be blessed.

Dave  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiP1fAFEtQk