Good News Of Great Joy
Good morning Immanuel. In Christ we have no reason to fear...and every reason to rejoice!
"And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:9-10).
The incarnation is about the glorious intrusion of God's mercy into human history. It is glorious because it is from heaven that Christ came for us. It is an intrusion because Christ came in a way we least expected. It is mercy because Christ did not come to condemn us but to draw near to us in love - even bearing our sin in His own body (1 Peter 2:24).
When the glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds in the field, they were afraid. Who wouldn't fear the light of God's glory? In the light of His power and holiness, we are exposed. We fear the unknown. We fear what reveals our smallness. We fear raw power. But His coming was not for judgment; it was for mercy! "Fear not" because there is good news of great joy. In Jesus, mercy came clothed in our humanity. In Jesus, God is with us, better yet, for us. Take heart! In Jesus, we have no reason to fear and every reason to rejoice.
🍩 BREAKFAST IN THE BREEZEWAY 🍩
On Sunday, August 6, we will host another Breakfast in the Breezeway with a special opportunity to learn more about serving opportunities at Park Avenue Elementary. Let’s celebrate the kickoff of the school year in joyful participation. Sign up to bring a breakfast item here.
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