Advent 2017

7th December 2017

Luke 1:28-30

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God.



"...look around: are we more fearful at the prospect of angels than the world is? Aren't we blithe this Christmas too? Heedless? Jaunty even, to the point of self-satisfaction ?

But here in a child comes God, the Light! And light in darkness is a frightening thing ("People loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil" John 3:19). O my friend, a self-examination both humble and true must cause us to tremble before the living God...be "greatly troubled" at the appearing of angels.

But even as we feared, so do we rejoice when we hear the light say, "Don't be afraid. I have not come to punish but to give you life. I am no judge. I am the Saviour born for you."

Preparing for Jesus, W. Wangerin Jnr.

TFL!
Bernie x