by Jordy van Gaalen

A Reason for Hope

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.’” Luke 2:10 NIV

Fear is a common theme in the bible. Fear seems to be a common theme in our world. Many of God’s messages have had some sort of “do not be afraid” message. God constantly reminds us that we have nothing to fear when He is beside us. 

Good news of great joy. That seems to mean even more today. Waiting for good news. Hoping for good news. And we know the greatest news we could ever receive, the greatest news that Israel long, long ago was pining for. The news that the Messiah has come to save. The Messiah has come to redeem. Imagine the waiting before Jesus Christ came to earth as a baby. The waiting of Moses and Abraham and Isaac and David.

We know that this good news has happened, just as they knew without a doubt that the Messiah would come. 

Great joy. Joy is characterized as ecstatic or exultant happiness. Joy is beyond our present circumstances. Joy is a feeling that comes deep within our soul, produced by the Holy Spirit. The greatest joy we could ever have is found in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The gift of life, the Gospel Message, is a gift for all people. God came to save and seek the lost, and He wishes for ALL to be saved. So much so, that He came in complete humility, to be born a carpenter’s son inside a barn of animals. So much so, that He came to be a sacrifice and bear our guilt and shame.

We have a reason for joy. We have a reason for peace. We have a reason for awe and wonder. We have a reason for hope. 

“Be still my heart
Be still my mind
May I still see the magic of that silent night
Fill me with wonder
Keep mystery alive
May peace on earth be my song tonight”

Rend Collective – Silent Night (Be Still)

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado