Glory and Peace

December 7

(Luke 2:13-14 NIV) ““Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, {14} "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.””

(Romans 4:18-5:2 NIV) ““Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." {19} Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. {20} Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, {21} being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. {22} This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." {23} The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, {24} but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. {25} He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. {5:1} Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, {2} through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.””

The angels sent to deliver the good news of Christ’s birth could not contain their praise. A large number gathered above the shepherds to give glory to God. Their worship contains two truths about the Lord. First, no one is greater or higher than God. There is only one God, and to Him belongs all glory, honor, thanks, power, and praise. Worship Him alone. Have no other Gods before Him. Second, coming to know Christ is the access key to peace on Earth. When we come to Christ, and God’s favor rests upon us, the incomprehensible peace of God settles over our lives. This is why the dark side works so hard to distract our hearts at Christmas time. Lights, presents, parties, and even family can diminish our worship and steal our peace. Hear the voices of heaven this Christmas. Focus your attention on the Christ child. Worship Him, and let the peace of God settle over you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Lying in a Manger

December 6

(Luke 2:11-12 NIV) “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. {12} This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

(John 1:9-14 NIV) “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. {10} He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. {11} He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. {12} Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—{13} children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. {14} The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

The angels told the shepherds that Christ the Lord had been born in Bethlehem. The Messiah had come -- but in a way that no one could have imagined. He had not come as a conquering king, but as a baby. He would not be found in a palace bed with satin sheets, but wrapped in rags, in a manger where animals slobbered and drooled over their feed. He would appear poor and helpless, but they would be seeing the King of kings and Lord of lords. Would they believe the angels? Would they recognize the Savior that God had sent? Will you believe? Will you recognize Him? The baby in the manger is the Creator of the universe. He is God in flesh. He is the Judge who sits on the great white throne -- who separates the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the chaff, and the lost from the found. He is both Savior and Lord. Will you believe, and embrace the Christ of Christmas? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Gospel For All People

December 5

(Luke 2:10-11 NIV) ““But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. {11} Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.””

(1 John 2:1-2 NIV) “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. {2} He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

(Isaiah 40:5 NIV) “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

(Romans 1:16-17 NIV) ““I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. {17} For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith.””

The angels made a joyful announcement to the shepherds: a Savior had been born in Bethlehem. He was the long awaited Lord and Christ. God had come to Earth to save His people. The shepherds were the first people on our planet to hear the gospel -- the good news that Jesus saves. But this gospel was not just for the shepherds. Because “God so loved the world”, this good news was for “all people”. This Savior had come, not just for the Jews, but for all mankind. He had come to atone for “the sins of the whole world”. This is the “good news of great joy”. The angels told the shepherds not to be afraid -- God tells us not to be ashamed. The gospel is God’s gift of salvation to everyone who will believe it. The angels made the first gospel announcement -- it is now ours to make. Jesus still saves! We are His witnesses. Tell the world. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Do Not Fear

December 4

(Luke 2:9-10a NIV) “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. {10} But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.” 

(Matthew 17:4-8 NIV) ““Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." {5} While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" {6} When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. {7} But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." {8} When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.””

(1 Timothy 6:13-16 NIV) “In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you {14} to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, {15} which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, {16} who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”

In the church today, we sing a lot about the “glory of God”. But in Scripture, when people encountered the glory of God, there was not much singing -- there was mostly fear and terror as they fell facedown. Were we to encounter the unveiled glory of God, a God who lives in “unapproachable light”, our reaction would be the same. The angels who came to announce the birth of Christ reflected the glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified by that glory. But the angels told the shepherds not to be afraid. Jesus said these same words to His disciples when He was revealed in glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. Rather than fearing His glory, our resplendent Lord wants us to experience His love. This is one reason for the incarnation -- God wants us to know Him and His great love for us. The angelic call to “fear not”, is a reminder of that truth. Merry Christmas! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day