I bring you good news!

And there was in the same country…

a stressed-out mom needing a rest,
an unemployed single drifting through life, 
a weeping, broken heart,
an empty nested mother needing a hug,
a frail gramma whose children were too busy,
a caregiver needing someone to care for them,
an anxious, fearful soul,
an overextended professional exhausted of life,
a Pastor who couldn’t do anything right,
a youth, in fear of the future,

…” And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’ “ Luke 2:10,11

How could the birth of a baby thousands of years ago have any impact on my life now? How can this Child bring peace to my chaotic world? The answer is in the Name given to this baby born in a stable of Bethlehem.

 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).

Matthew‬ ‭1:23‬ ‭ESV‬ 

God incarnate; a big word for God with flesh on. God to live among us and bring peace to our broken world and comfort to our anxious hearts. The story began in an unassuming barn while the people slept. 

The baby Jesus grew and became a man, and while the people slept, angry men nailed Him to a cross for sins He didn’t commit. They did it to be rid of Him, for they didn’t understand who He was. They thought the cunning plan was theirs;  they didn’t realize they were being used by God to fulfil His. 

This advent, am I asleep to the ways of God? The peace the angels declared to the startled shepherds so many years ago, can still calm my fears today. Peace– Immanuel is with me.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27