The Tenth Day of Advent
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, 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. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:8-15 (NIV)
“… and they were terrified.”
When the prophet, Isaiah, was in God’s presence he cried, “Woe to me!…I am ruined!” Isaiah 6
During the transfiguration, at the voice of the Lord, Peter, James and John “fell face down to the ground, terrified.” Matthew 17
When Christ in His glory came to John on Patmos, John “fell at his feet as though dead.” Revelation 1
Prophecies throughout scripture speak of our magnificent God sitting on his resplendent throne reigning and judging with thundering power. In His presence all fall on their face in worship and “day and night they never stop saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” Revelation 4
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.”
Because of Christ, our beautiful Savior, I am not ruined. I am not crushed. I am not dead. I am covered with saving grace in God’s presence.
This advent I am especially thankful for my Savior. His favor rests on me, covers me, casts out fear and has brought everlasting peace in the presence of our glorious, terrible God.
Rebekah Georges
