The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 24 December 2023 – Fear Not!
TOPIC: Fear Not!
READ: Luke 2:1-14 (NKJV)
- And it came to pass in those days [that] a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
- This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
- So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
- Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
- to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
- So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
- And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
- Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
- And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
- Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
- “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
- “And this [will be] the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
- And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
- “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
THE MESSAGE:
There are two very important events ahead of us in the coming few days. The first is Christmas, which will be celebrated tomorrow, if Christ tarries. Christmas symbolises the fact that God came to us in human form. This news is the greatest news the human ear has ever heard! What makes this news great is that God does not wait for us to come seeking for Him, rather He chose, in Jesus Christ, to come searching for us. This is the first reason why we do not need to be afraid, as the angels said to the shepherds in the field. Our fear rises when we are overwhelmed by the sins we commit and the guilt that bedevils us. In other words, we become afraid when we lose sight of the mercies and grace of God. But the news of Christmas is the news of God’s grace: we do not need to be afraid! God has come, in Christ, to save us from our sins, if we come to Him in repentance and faith.
The second event is the coming new year, 2024, ahead of us. None of us knows what lies ahead. The unknown is capable of causing anxiety and fear. But we do not need to be afraid, because we serve a God who holds the coming year in His hand!
PRAYER: Lord, I entrust myself completely to You.
