What the Angels Said

Written By Carol McLeod

If you are weary with shopping … done with the busyness … and could use a few less dancing reindeer in your life …pause to enjoy this excerpt from my Christmas devotional, Let The Be Joy! 

Angels are an intrinsic and dynamic part of the Christmas story. Christmas simply would not have occurred without these God-sent messengers from heaven. We don’t know if the angels were clothed in flowing, white robes, if they had a halo that sparkled, or even if they flew with wings into the Christmas scene. What we are assured of, however, is these angels carried the heart of God concerning the momentous event that was about to take place.

Angels appear four times in the traditional Christmas story and each time, although they carried different pieces of information concerning what was about to happen, their message is always the same, “Do not be afraid!”

“Do not be afraid,” was what the angel said first to Zachariah in the temple, then to Mary, then to Joseph and finally to the shepherds on the hillside.

“Do not be afraid!”

I believe these powerful four words just may be the message that heaven is sending to your heart this Christmas season. Christmas exuberantly reminds all of Christendom that Jesus and fear are mutually exclusive.

When Jesus arrives on the scene, there is no earthly reason to be afraid. His presence powerfully removes any reason for fear, worry or anxiety.

It is time for us to step away from our fear and boldly walk into His presence. I pray this Christmas, and for every day of the coming year, you will realize that when Jesus has been birthed in your heart, there is absolutely no reason for fear or for worry. The message of Christmas has not changed in 2,000 years, and I can guarantee the words of the angels are still ringing clearly into our 21st. Century world, “Do not be afraid!”

When your circumstances are falling apart, remind yourself, “Do not be afraid!”

When there is not enough money to pay the bills, remind yourself, “Do not be afraid!”

When you are dealing with disappointment, pain, or loneliness, remind yourself, “Do not be afraid!”

Jesus is identified as the “Prince of Peace” by Isaiah who prophesied the coming of the Messiah:

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

Jesus, the Son of God, has been given ruling authority in the realm of peace. You will never experience true and abiding peace without first experiencing His presence in your life. You will never be the beneficiary of the sweetness of peace without first allowing Jesus to rule and reign in you.

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.” – Isaiah 26:3

The Lord has promised He would give His peace to those whose hearts and minds are fully stayed on Him. Peace is not the absence of trouble nor is it the guarantee of camaraderie in human relationships. Peace is the very real presence of God which defeats human pain and restlessness. And, because of Jesus, this Christmas, and every Christmas, you can rest in His overwhelming and satisfying peace!

Cultivating an Expectant Heart with Susie Larson (ReRun)

Have you ever felt like you’re living life bracing for impact? Have you ever wondered how it could be possible to pursue Jesus earnestly yet simultaneously live with elbows locked? So many of us have developed a posture of self-protection, just waiting for the next storm to hit, but my guest today has spent the last few years cultivating an expectant heart around God’s goodness. My dear friend, ‪@SusieLarsonLive‬ shares how God helped her move from disappointment and hurt to genuine expectancy. Lean in and listen to Susie’s incredible story, and don’t forget to grab her latest book, Waking Up to the Goodness of God: 40 Days Toward Healing and Wholeness.

Today’s episode is one of a short series of ‘Fan Favorites of 2024’ podcasts. Enjoy!

Connect with Susie Larson on her website at https://www.susielarson.com/

Order Waking Up to the Goodness of God: 40 Days Toward Healing and Wholeness at https://a.co/d/dNb9iVV

Carol McLeod
Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!
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Seventy Years of Gratitude and Grace