Good News!

To the 150 million orphaned children in the world who will face this holiday season without a family . . . this is for you.

Do not be afraid, the angel said.   If there is one thing that you need to hear first, it is this: Do not be afraid.  Although there are many circumstances in your life that are uncertain, and the unknown future is terrifying, you will not be able to understand the rest of the message until you let go of fear.  God knows that fear, that terrible enemy that sneaks in and tries to steal your soul, needs to be banished.  He knows that fear keeps your fists tightly clinched, unable to open your hands to receive His gift.  The most amazing gift that has ever been offered.

I bring you good news of great joy!  When was the last time someone brought you good news?  You may remember when Christmases long, long ago really were the most wonderful time of the year.  You may have fond memories of a grandmother’s home-baked cinnamon rolls.  Of a father lifting you up so you could put the star on top of the tree.  Of a mother taking pictures while you open your presents.  But those are distant memories, ones that seemed to have happened a lifetime ago, possibly even to someone else.  You may not know where your family is tonight.  If they are missing you as deeply as you are missing them.

Or maybe you have not one memory of a happy Christmas.  Those Normal Rockwell paintings and Hallmark commercials are foreign to you.  You cannot imagine what a family tradition is because you don’t know what a family is.  Ever since your very first breath you were alone in the world, with no one to care for your most basic needs, much less celebrate a holiday with.  What news could possibly be good enough to cause great joy?  What does joy even mean?

A Savior has been born to you.  A savior.  A rescuer.  A deliverer.  He has been born to you.  To you, dear one!  Not only to the children who are eagerly writing out their wish lists or to the ones whose daddies tucked them into bed tonight and who now have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads.  A Savior has been born to you!  In the darkest, most silent night when even the stars are hidden, this is the news that brings light.  This is the gift that shines in the darkness, bringing hope to a heart that so desperately needs it!

He will be called Wonderful Counselor.  Oh, the hurt you have experienced.  The trauma and pain and grief that no one should ever have to endure.  The wrongs that have left you broken and scarred and severely wounded.  Take heart, beloved.  There is yet hope.  The One who has been born is the Wonderful Counselor.  The One who created you and knows you is the same One who knows how to counsel you.  He will guide you along the path of healing and restoration.  He is able to make you healthy and whole, if only you will let Him.

Mighty God.  There is nothing . . . not your less-than-perfect background, nor your birth parents who failed you, nor your distressing circumstances, nor your complicated legal status, nor your unpredictable behavior, nor your lack of education . . . nothing that can stand in the way of your Mighty God.  He is able to accomplish amazing, miraculous things in the most unexpected ways.  Do not lose heart, precious child.  Nothing is impossible with God.  

Everlasting Father.  You may not have a father who is currently with you.  Your earthly father may have abandoned you and forsaken you, just when you needed him the most.  He may have let you down and left you with a gaping hole in your heart.  But you have an everlasting Father who will never leave you. 

They will call him Immanuel, which means: God with us.  Your everlasting Father wants to give you, not a cheap gift or an empty promise, but Himself.  How could a gift be any more perfect? Is there anything sweeter than someone who wants to be with you?  You may feel that you are alone.  It may seem as if there is not one person on this planet who cares what happens to you.  But rest assured, sweetie.  God is with you.  Even now, He is with you!

Prince of Peace.  He came to save you.  He came to heal you.  He came to be with you.  And He came to bring you the one thing your soul craves . . . peace!  You do not need to fear.  You can let go of the anxiety and worry. Although your days are filled with turmoil and uncertainty, and the future is a vast unknown before you, you can face tomorrow with confidence, knowing that Immanuel is right there with you.  Filling your heart with peace. 

_*

Do

not be

afraid.

A Savior has

been born to you.

He will be called

Wonderful Counselor.

Mighty God. Everlasting Father.

Immanuel:  God with us.

Prince

of

Peace.

Truly, this is good news of great joy!

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Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:10-11

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness . . . The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. – John 1:4, 9

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, “God with us.” – Matthew 1:23

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6