Merry Christmas Wealthy Affiliate Family

byRandyHartma2

35 followers

2 weeks ago

The Anticipation Is Over; a Savior Is Born

For generations, God’s people waited with hope for the promised Messiah. In the fullness of time, that hope was fulfilled—not in a palace, but in humility; not with fanfare from kings, but with praise from heaven. The birth of Jesus Christ changed everything.

1. An Angelic Announcement

Heaven itself could not remain silent. God announced the arrival of the Savior through angels, declaring peace, joy, and salvation for all people.

Bible Scriptures (NLT):

• Luke 2:7–14
  “She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
  That night shepherds were staying, in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’
  Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
  ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’”
• Ephesians 1:12–14
  “God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.”

2. What Will You Do With This Good News?

The shepherds did not hesitate. After hearing heaven’s message, they acted—going, seeing, believing, and sharing. The good news of Christ always calls for a response.

Bible Scriptures (NLT):

• Luke 2:15–20
  “When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.”
• John 8:12
  “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’”

3. See, Believe, and Proclaim

The story does not end at the manger. Those who truly see and believe are called to proclaim this message to the world. The Savior who was born is the Savior who sends.

Bible Scriptures (NLT):

• Mark 16:15–16
  “And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.’”

Closing Reflection

The anticipation truly is over—the Savior has been born. The question now is the same for us as it was for the shepherds: What will we do with this good news? May we respond with faith, walk in His light, and boldly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.