Luke 2:9-10
An angel of the Lord appeared to them [the shepherds], and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."
An angel of the Lord appeared to them [the shepherds], and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."
I snuggled on the couch with my seventeen-month
old granddaughter, Ella Cate, on my lap and my grandson, Eli, beside me. On TV
the Grinch tortured his poor dog, Max, by plopping reindeer antlers on his head
and forcing him to pull the sled. As Max flipped and flopped through the air
Ella Cate giggled. The more the poor dog struggled and acted goofy the more she
laughed out loud. The tinkle of her laughter filled my heart with joy. And
isn't that what Christmas is all about. The joy of the season.
Too often the stress of the holiday and the
sadness of life overwhelm. Then I hear the sweet sound of a child's laughter or
the tender voice of a grandchild saying he loves me. I see friends hug as they
greet one another. I watch a mom love on her kids. Jesus came to earth to bring
peace and joy. Though the world is not at peace right now and sometimes joy is
not obvious, peace and joy remain in my heart because the Holy Spirit dwells in
me. As Christmas draws near, I'll cling to the promise of the angels. Jesus
brings good news that will cause great joy. Praise God for his precious gift.
