Dear
Readers,
In Luke chapter 2: verse 10 we read these words:
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people”.
God continues to reveal His Son, but not to those we might expect; Luke records that JESUS’ birth was announced to shepherds in the fields.
These may have been the shepherds who supplied the lambs for the temple sacrifices that were performed for the forgiveness of sin.
Here the angels invited these shepherds to greet the LAMB of GOD (John 1: 36), who would take away the sins of the whole world forever.What a birth announcement.The Shepherds were terrified, but their fear turned to joy as the angels announced the Messiah’s birth.
First the Shepherds ran to see the baby, and then they spread the word.
JESUS is our Messiah, our SAVIOUR.We should look forward in meeting HIM in prayer and in HIS WORD each day; Share the joy of knowing HIM to others.
The greatest event in history had just happened. God’s plan for your life always involves your gifts, His timing, and being in the right place.
But three things can leap that from happening, fear of failing, unwillingness to leave your comfort zone, and being swayed by the opinion of others.There came a point where, in order to enter the Promised Land, GOD said to Israel, “You have been wandering long enough, turn” (Deut. 2:3).
When you reach this point it’s crucial that you say yes to God and be willing to step out in faith.
During a famine, GOD said to the prophet Elijah: “leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.” So he did what the LORD had told HIM and stayed there.
The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. (1 Kings 17: 3-6) GOD’s plan for your life is always connected to a place. Jesus had to go through Samaria John 4:4, why? To meet a woman who was destined to reach that city with the gospel.
You can’t just go where you like, GOD will honour you when you’re where HE wants you to be. GOD has promised to bless you, but sometimes HE has to reposition you in order to receive HIS blessing.It was when Ruth moved to Bethlehem that she met Boaz and married him. It was when Bertimaeus went to where JESUS was that he received his sight.Where you are, matters!
The Messiah has been born.For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally occurred, the announcement came, to humble shepherds.The good thing about JESUS is that HE comes to all including the plain and the ordinary. HE comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept HIM.
Whoever we may be, whatever we may do, we can have JESUS in our lives.
Some of the Jews were waiting for a SAVIOUR to deliver them from Roman Rule; others hoped the CHRIST (Messiah) would deliver them from physical ailments.But JESUS, while healing their illnesses and establishing a spiritual kingdom, delivered them from sin.
His work is more far-reaching than anyone could imagine. CHRIST paid the price for sin and opened the way to peace with GOD.
He offers us more than temporal political or physical changes. He offers us new hearts that will last for eternity.The story of JESUS’ birth resounds with music that has inspired composers for 2015 years.
The Angels song is an all-time favourite, often called the Gloria after the first word in the Latin transform.It is the basis of modern choral works, traditional Christmas carols, and ancient liturgical chants.All through these readings we must have been thinking of the rough simplicity of the birth of the Son of GOD.
We might have expected that, if HE had to be born into this world at all, it would be in a palace or a mansion.There was a European Monarch who worried his court by often disappearing and walking in cognition among his people.When he was asked not to do so for security reason, he answered, “I cannot rule my people unless I know how they live!”
It is the great thought of the Christian faith that we have a GOD who knows the life we live because HE too lived it and claimed no special advantage over ordinary people.
On behalf ofthe Anglican family in the Diocese of Gambia, Senegal and Cape Verde I wish the Head of State Sheikh, Professor, Alhaji, Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, his Government and our brothers and sisters in our beloved nation a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
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