Online Devotions: December 4 (Luke 1:13, 30)

Sunday, December 4, 2011

December 4 (Luke 1:13, 30)

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias…. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary…. (KJV)

There is not much to fear when we wish someone a merry Christmas. More often than not, Christians are the ones who are afraid to utter the C-word in December lest someone be offended. Yet when the angels appeared to announce the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus, they had to tell Zechariah and Mary not to be afraid. What is going on here?

The word “angel” simply means “messenger.” Messengers from God were fearsome beings, yet when they approached humans, they did not water down their message or do anything to disguise it or themselves. They simply said, “Do not fear,” and proceeded to deliver the message. They spoke with the authority they had been given by God.

We, too, are angels in the sense that we are messengers of God. He has entrusted to us the Good News of Jesus and has given us the authority to take it to others. We must never water it down or approach our task with embarrassed hesitation. We must be bold and confident, for ours is a message that must get through.

O Lord, our God, You have given to weak creatures the awesome task of being angels. Strengthen us for our calling. May we boldly share Your love and grace and light and truth with a dark and hurting world, just as the angels did in the time of Zechariah and Mary. In the name of our most holy Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.

Copyright © 2011 by Steven R. Perkins

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History of Online Devotions

In January of 1999, I began the Online Devotions with the teens of the church we were attending. Each week they would receive a verse of Scripture, a short reflection, and a prayer. Over the years others subscribed to this email list, and soon the Online Devotions were going out to people across the country and beyond.

In 2007 I published in book format a collection called Desert Days: Forty Devotions for Men.

After suggestions from several readers, I launched in 2010 the Online Devotions blog. Devotions are still available each week by email, and if you would like to subscribe, please indicate so in the comment box.

As I have always said, if one of these devotions touches you, you can be sure it was from God. If one leaves you flat, then there was too much of me in it.