And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David
a saviour, which is Christ the Lord…” St Lk. 2:8-11
The year in review: It began with the inhuman shooting of US Rep. Gabrielle Gifford where six died and 13 were injured: Japan experienced a devastating 9.0 magnitude quake which of course resulted in a tsunami: nuclear fears in March threatened the peace of the whole world. Sandwiched between the death of Osama bin Laden in May was one of the very bright spots that caught media attention around the world: the wedding of Prince William and the beautiful Kate Middleton in April: it is a front page in the papers – world breaking news on the TV: the never ending economical downturn from not only America’s financial crisis but the European market’s instability has also placed the euro dollar in a devalued position; foreclosures are unprecedented and of course the domino effect is the screaming rise of the unemployment rate; can we close our eyes to the painful rise in human trafficking? ; the drug abuse and it’s adverse effects; the decadence and all time low in morals and conduct; the marriage and divorce among teenagers as much as high as among adults…so much…so fast…the mind cannot process the speed of ‘strange things’ that are happening on the world’s front…and the bible is true: as a result of this high speed of more pressure and pain on the human mind, ‘men’s hearts are failing them for fear…’
Looking forward to the year ahead:
What a comfort…what a peace…what a joyful assurance Christians can have. In the midst of the chaos and confusion that not even world leaders can wrap their arms around and offer solid and workable solutions, we are blessed, very blessed to know that the message the angels brought to the fearful Joseph, Mary, the shepherds and the whole world so many years ago can still bring us great hope today! Hear God’s promise once again: ‘and she will bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins’ St Mt1:21 praise God! Oh! The name of Jesus…what freedom it brings…his word states: “…I have not given you the spirit of fear, but of love and of a sound mind”…neither have been “…given the spirit of bondage again to fear”…today, just as Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men believed the message of the angels, their fear was transferred to joy, fulfilled and continued joy, because they followed the angel’s instructions…St Lk2:15,16 “…they hastily agreed together to set out to find the Christ child, Jesus the Saviour of the world and they found Him…their fear was forever removed…they sought and found the Christ child…their joy was unbounded…Yes, as we look ahead to 2012, let us with renewed faith in the promises of god, accept Jesus , his only begotten son, as your Saviour and Lord, and exchange your sorrow and fears for joy…lasting joy, which the world cannot give, neither can it take away…
When we receive His joy we have:
J – joy in knowing him as our personal Lord and Saviour
O – joy in sharing the good news with so many others who are as we were
Y – joy in knowing that as we walk in the light as He is in the light we will continue to have His peace and His joy
“Fear not therefore, whatever else the closing days of 2011 may bring…unto you is born a Saviour, Jesus Christ the Lord who is able to save us from all our sins and fill us with joy unspeakable and full of glory…”fear not…!”
Blessings,
Pastor Joseph
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