Advent – God’s Peace
The week of Christmas is here!! In just a few more days, we will all gather around our Christmas trees with our families on Christmas morning. The children’s eyes will sparkle with delight and smiles will spread across their faces as they wait in great anticipation of what is to come. With great wonder, joy, and excitement they will open their presents to reveal the gifts that have been given to them. Ahhh, but nothing could ever compare to the precious gift that Jesus has given to us all – the gift of eternal life if we only believe in Him and ask Him to come into our hearts as our Lord and Savior.
We are all familiar with the story regarding the birth of Jesus, but it is one that I will never get tired of hearing or reading. Allow me to share it with you now.
Luke 2:6-21 King James Version (KJV)
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
I would like to thank Good Morning Girls for their inspiration this Christmas and their efforts in keeping our hearts focused on Jesus! This is the first time that I have ever done an Advent bible study, and it has blessed my heart completely. I hope it has done the same for all of the readers out there on their site as well as here at Light, Love, Hope. They have written beautifully on finding peace this holiday season:
Are you still looking for peace this Christmas? Jesus came to bring peace to a broken world. To every.single.detail of my broken world, and to yours.
Run to Him as the only source of true and lasting peace, and then stop… and simply rest in His presence. (Courtesy of Good Morning Girls)
As you gather with extended family this week to celebrate Christmas, you may find it hard to find peace as you feel pulled in all kinds of different directions. It is then that we need to seek His peace most of all. Allow God’s peace to fill you as you shine His light for all of the world to see!
Blessings to you and your family!
~Shirley
Light, Love, Hope
