Healing Rays of Righteousness

In the first two chapters of his Gospel account, Luke records that an angel appears on three separate occasions bringing a very special message of good news from God. Let’s listen to the angel and let the messages from God penetrate our hearts and minds as good news to us today.      

The first appearance is to a childless priest named Zechariah, who is startled and gripped with fear at the sight of an angel standing by his side.  The angel said to him, “Do not be afraid; Zechariah, your prayer has been heard.”(1:13).

The second appearance is to a virgin named Mary, who is greatly troubled and wondering about the angel’s words to her. “Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you. … “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” (1:28-30).

The third appearance is to a group of terrified shepherds on a night-time hillside near Bethlehem. “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (2:10-11). 

In all three occasions, the angel’s sudden and unexpected appearance caused great fear and anxiety.  And in all three occasions, the angel reassured the recipients of God’s special message that there was nothing to fear.  To Zechariah, “your prayer has been heard.”  To Mary, “ you are highly favored!  The Lord is with you. … Mary, you have found favor with God.”  And to the shepherds, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” 

That same message continues to be spoken to all persons “gripped with fear” “greatly troubled” and “terrified” today.  To all I say, listen to the angel speak the same words to you personally. I say this because I believe the purpose of God’s coming into our world as a human being is to save us from our fears and bring light and life into our darkness. 

One of the great spiritual writers, Henri Nouwen, a Dutch priest, wrote that “fear is the single most important and tragic emotion in our lives.” He’s right.  Fear is the emotion that controls us most often in our decision-making and actions.  There is a healthy fear that causes us to be cautious and careful, to give respect toward, and make good life-giving decisions.  Then there is the opposite kind of fear that handicaps, paralyzes and separates us from experiencing life as God would have us enjoy.

The prophet, Isaiah, spoke to our fears in a prophecy concerning God’scoming to us as the Messiah (Isaiah 35:4) – “Say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, …he will come to save you.”

To believe that God is greater than us is one thing.  To believe that God is a strength sufficient for us in every circumstance, inspires us with confidence.  But to believe that God is not only almighty and all-sufficient, but that he is also the sovereign, loving, forgiving God who is with us, and that he is God who best understands us, is unquestionably the best truth we can have and hold for all of life.

Let the startling truth grip you. Get emotional about it.  God came down to us in Jesus, taking on the flesh of a vulnerable, helpless, human baby, so that he could become deeply involved in our human situation.  God became what we are, in order that we might become what he is.  He came to resolve once and for all our human sin problem and to reconcile us back into a close, intimate, forever relationship with himself.  He came to save us from all our fears and darkness.

Christmas is about God coming to down us, to be a very close companion in our experiences of sin, sickness, sorrow, and the often difficult routines of life and work.  He wants his caring love, peace, and joy to daily overshadow and indwell us; and for the same to be reflected in our relationships with all persons and in every situation.

Christmas is about “Emmanuel,” that is, God with us and continually speaking into my life and your life, “Greetings, you are highly favored!   The Lord is with you.” 

And so, if darkness and doubts cloud your thoughts and spirit this Christmas week, listen again to the angel’s message to you, “Do not be afraid. Your prayer is heard. I bring you good news.  Today a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord.”

Sing with me – Hark!  The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;

                        Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

                        Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;

                        With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – December 19, 2018