Advent Daily Devotional - Day 8
Luke 2:10-12
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
I don’t know if you remember being in your school nativity play, or perhaps you’ve been to watch a child in one in recent years. The words in these two short verses read in nativity plays all across the world, are probably so familiar to many of us!
Much like the ancient version of a birth announcement in The Times, or even more modern-day social media announcements people make when their baby has been born, the angels are announcing the good news of this baby – and it’s a boy! Although of course, this announcement holds so much more than a simple birth announcement. In these 2 short verses, we see that all that God had promised has come to pass.
But it likely isn’t what anyone was expecting. The people had been expecting God would send them a saviour. They were expecting a king – but…a baby?! Here is their Messiah, the anointed One, but Wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
I can’t help but note once again that the angel is telling this to shepherds. Ordinary people like you and I are the first to learn the news. They are instructed not to be afraid – I’m sure that was easier said than done for the shepherds! But this good news is about bringing JOY, not fear. It’s about the fulfilment of generations of prophecy.
The people had been waiting a long time. In this announcement, they learn that God has answered their prayers. He had kept His promise. It just didn’t look anything like people were expecting, did it? They would no doubt have expected a king on a throne to come and save them: a powerful, strong leader. But instead, there is a baby, born in the most humble of circumstances.
How often do we cry out to God and expect Him to answer our prayers, and yet it looks different to what we expect, or what we want? The birth of this baby was the fulfilment of God’s promises and it’s also an invitation to trust God in everything. God’s plans often look so different to ours. He so often surprises us! He knows better than us. God is in control.
Questions
Are there situations you’re facing where you are fearful? Bring it to God today and ask Him to replace the fear with joy.
In what areas of your life is God inviting you to trust him more deeply as you wait for Him to answer you? Ask Him to help you with it today.
Submit your plans and desires to God, trusting that He knows best. Perhaps be bold and even ask Him to surprise you – trusting that He is in control!
Today's devotional was written by Sonia Hopkin.