ADVENT - DAY 18 - ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Here we are the final week's countdown to Christmas.  I had serious doubts about posting everyday for 25 days, BUT GOD, once again reminded me Who is my Provider.  What more could I possibly have to say about Advent?  Here is the thing---if we take time to ponder---there is a deep well of things to say.  Every fresh reading of the story---brings more to the table.  A true indication of the depth of God Almighty.

 

How I love that great philosopher, Charlie Brown.  Somehow the genius has been lost on my grand's generation.  Perhaps there is too much talking---not enough action.  What could be better than letting our minds wander and fill in the blanks when a story is told?

I keep rolling around in my head----you are out in the deep dark of the night---far from home---with only a bunch of shepherds and sheep with you.  Suddenly an angel appears in their midst--from out of nowhere an angel---with the glory of the Lord shining around them--lighting up the previously dark of the night.  And what does that angel say, "Do not be afraid"  I am not too sure about you, but my gut reaction is I would be running for the hills.  That is what my head tells me I would do, but the fact of the matter is I have been startled in the dark of the night by a stranger appearing --staring in the window-quite unexpectedly.  I did not run for the hills, though my mind was spinning about what was about to happen.  I sat frozen---stunned!  My head was trying to process exactly what was happening while I just sat---feet from that window.  The truth of the matter is we usually have one of two responses in moments like these---freeze or flight (some might say fight).  In the moment I was absolutely frozen.  My head tells me---DANGER---my body does not respond--waiting for the next clue about what is about to happen.  

SO that angel must have been doing some fast talking---in an effort to keep his audience from a fast exit.  We all think we would head for the hills, but unless you have experienced the moment, you do not truly know what your response would be.  SO--they listened and thankfully the Angel Choir did not appear until after the angel had conveyed his message.  That really throws a kink into it to think of an entire multitude of angels appearing before the messenger has spoken.  God knew--God knew what their response would be.  God knew they would seek the new born babe.  There are no surprises in God----He knows exactly how we will respond to Him and His messengers.  So---FEAR NOT----

"An angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them ,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them;

and they were terribly frightened.

And so the angel said to them,

'Do not be afraid;

for behold,

I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people;

for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you:

you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manager.'

And SUDDENLY there appeared with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly army of angels."

Luke 2:9-13