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

Shepherd’s Privilege

December 3

(Luke 2:8 NIV) “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.”

(Luke 4:18 NIV) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,”

(Psalms 23:1-4 NIV) “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. {2} He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, {3} he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. {4} Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

It is noteworthy that the first people to receive official notice of Christ’s birth were some minimum wage shepherds. One would think that the King of kings would warrant a royal reception in some opulent hall. But the Lord of lords had come to preach good news to the poor, and so that is where He started. In the dark of night, a Savior was born to shepherds and emperors alike. To those with power and to those with none, God sent His Son. But on this night, it was to the powerless that God sent notice of a birth in Bethlehem that would change the world. Perhaps the shepherds heard first because God has a shepherd’s heart. King David, a former shepherd boy himself, recognized this and wrote a song about it, which begins, “The Lord is my shepherd”. Christ came to gather the lambs that His Father provided. Are you one of His lambs? Have you answered the shepherd’s call? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

No Room

December 2

(Luke 2:7b NIV) “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

(Psalms 10:4 NIV) “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”

(John 8:34-37 NIV) ““Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. {35} Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. {36} So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. {37} I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word.””

The Son of God was born in a stable because there was no room in the inn. And it wasn’t just the innkeeper who had no room. The vast majority of Israel’s religious people had no room for Jesus, and they missed His coming. When Jesus grew to manhood and began His preaching ministry, many had no room for His word. Rather than listen to Him, they plotted to kill Him. Today, the prideful have no room in their thoughts for God. Their minds are consumed by thoughts of achievement, status, and power. Many of us, in this hectic Christmas season, will miss the Christ child in the hustle and bustle of shopping and partying. Even in His church, Christ is often crowded out by the pageantry and the plays. Christians, we are called to make room for Jesus in our homes, our thoughts, our church, and our lives. Jesus has made a room for you. Make room for Him! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Perfect Timing

December 1

(Luke 2:6-7 NIV) “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, {7} and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.”

(Galatians 4:4-5 NIV) “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, {5} to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”

The timing of Christ’s birth was perfect. It was the right time religiously. The Scriptures had been compiled in an orderly fashion and there were synagogues in just about every town where people could hear the word of God. It was the right time culturally. The highly descriptive and accurate Greek language was predominant, and would provide the platform for the gospels and epistles to be written. It was the right time politically. The world was essentially under one government in Rome, and when the first disciples were commissioned to share the gospel with all the world, they had a first-class road system, an almost universal language, and an outstanding postal system. The timing of Christ’s birth was no accident. This is what Paul meant in Galatians when he said, “when the time had fully come”. God’s timing was perfect. It still is! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day