Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC
Monday, December 21, Evening
By Barry Christmas
Fear Not, I Bring Good Tidings
Read Luke 2:10
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
One of my favorite hymns that our choir sings, and one that brings me great comfort, is “Do Not Be Afraid,” words by Gerard Markland and based on Isaiah 43; there is a recording of it on YouTube under Church Street UMC. When I think of all the challenges we have been faced with this year, (floods, hurricanes, wildfires, torching of buildings and vehicles, isolation, loneliness, the exile of a pandemic), I’m reminded of how relevant these words are for our current situation:
“When you walk through the waters I’ll be with you,
You will never have to sink beneath the waves. When the fire is burning all around you, You will never be consumed by the flames. When the fear of loneliness is looming, Then remember I am at your side. When you dwell in the exile of a stranger Remember you are precious in my eyes. You are mine, O my child; I am your father, And I love you with a perfect love.
Chorus: Do not be afraid, For I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name; You are mine.”
I do not fear, for God loves me; so much that he offers me a gift of redemption through a little baby named Jesus, his son and my Saviour. I am secure in knowing I am his child and I am precious in his sight. So when I wonder why these things are happening, I remind myself God is still in control and all of this is part of His plan. He is allowing these things to happen for His purpose. It’s challenging to understand this, and it takes a lot of trust in God to accept it, but he promises to never forsake us, and I take comfort in that promise. We would never grow in our faith if we were not challenged from time to time. Trust your Father, and do not be afraid.
Prayer
Dear Father, when great challenges occur in my life, give me the strength to focus on you and not all the chaos surrounding me. Reassure me of your promises and your love for me. Remind me of the angel’s “good tidings of great joy”, and that I have nothing to fear because your son is my Lord and Saviour. Amen.
This devotion was written in honor of the Parish Adult Choir.
