Thank goodness that we only need to activate a mustard seed of faith. Even in this turbulent year, we can walk in calm and peace because Jesus won the victory on the cross.
They speak of joy and peace and dispel fear in the somewhat shocked shepherds as they speak of the birth of Jesus.
An expression of joy, a heart of thankfulness and praising of the Lord can change an atmosphere and bring unity and peace and dispel fear.
With all these facts and reference points punctuating the passage, it is very easy to lose yourself in the emotional journey of the story. Zechariah, it says, was “chosen by lot” to burn incense inside the temple of the Lord (verse 9). This shows us that he is a dutiful man that serves tradition
A supply could run out if the bills were not paid or if there were a fault with the underground wires. At the start of his gospel, John beautifully describes Jesus as a glorious and true light who gives light to everyone. It’s not a temporary fake light like the Christmas lights that lead you from house to house just once a year, but a light that has been shinning bright since before the beginning of time and who created you and I
Life can feel like a long list of “I will”. But this is a list of things that Jesus will do. Jesus is building us into God’s church, and reigns over us from Heaven.
Did you know there are two Bethlehems in the Bible? In Joshua 19:15, we read of the other Bethlehem in the land assigned to the tribe of Zebulun. Bethlehem in Judah was the birthplace of Naomi whose daughter-in-law Ruth was the grandmother of King David. David was born in Bethlehem.
The miracle of Jesus’ birth, and the exact thing that Isaiah is foretelling in Chapter 11, is what we celebrate at Christmas. As we return to our own roots, we gather together around trees and dining tables and television sets, sharing and loving on our friends and family members like no other time of year.