In the midst of the menorot [menorahs], I saw One like a Son of Man, clothed in a robe down to His feet, with a golden belt wrapped around His chest. His head and His hair were white like wool, white like snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of rushing waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came forth a sharp, two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at full strength.
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last, and the One who lives. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever! Moreover, I hold the keys of death and Sheol [the grave]. . . .” –Revelation 1:13–18
God gave us Christmas so we could be courageous in everything we do.
Mary was undoubtedly startled when Gabriel appeared, but she had no reason to fear: “The angel spoke to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Miriam, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you shall call His name Yeshua’” (Luke 1:30–31).
Joseph didn’t know what to do about his pregnant fiancée, but assurance soon arrived: “Behold, an angel of Adonai appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Miriam as your wife, for the Child conceived in her is from the Ruach ha-Kodesh [the Holy Spirit]’” (Matthew 1:20).
We are surrounded by a great cloud of invisible witnesses, the saints who displayed parresia, the Greek word translated as boldness, courage, and confidence. Placing obedience to God before the opinions of men, they upheld God’s truth, often at the risk of their lives.
A dear friend of mine likes to say that when God sent Jesus to earth, He didn’t send the Savior off by saying “Take care!” Instead, God sent His son with this encouragement: “Take risks!”
Risk living as a man in a world filled with temptation.
Risk living as a human in a world with disease, hunger, and weakness.
Risk bearing the world’s sin upon your shoulders as You die in the worst possible way.
Jesus took those risks . . . and won the victory over temptation, weakness, and sin. He is our victory, and with His Spirit within us, why should we ever fear?
This Christmas, let’s keep this thought uppermost in our minds: God Almighty so loved this fallen world that He sent His Son to be born in vulnerable mortal flesh. Jesus had the courage to take risks, so why don’t we?
Fear not, brothers and sisters in Christ! Your heavenly Father loves you and He’s willing to use your life in ways you can’t even imagine. Hallelujah!
And because I won’t be posting again until after the holidays, have a blessed Christmas!
~~Angie
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Thank you, Angie, for this beautiful post.
You’re welcome. :-). You’ll see a version of it again in a few days, in SOW. 🙂
Loved your post today, Angie. In fact, you’ve inspired me. I’m going to piggy back off it for mine tomorrow—with some quick pics of Leo’s first birthday, of course. 🙂
Be my guest! :-). And congratulations on that first birthday. Hard to believe it’s been a year already!