God is Our Counselor and Comforter
We can take great solace and consolation in times of distress or sadness. It seems like during the holiday season we hear more of tragedies in families, senseless murders on the streets, and the list goes on. When I hear of all the craziness that is going on I think to myself, ‘There goes a family who won’t see their loved one walk through the door tonight.’
In all of this I am reminded of what this time of year truly means. It’s not how big the Christmas tree is or how many gifts we get. As we approach the Christmas season, let’s read of the prophecies concerning the coming of the Christ child. The angels announced His birth to the shepherds, and the wise men bowed down before Him and worshiped Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And, later, the Apostles recognized Him as the Son of GOD in the flesh.
The greatest gift was the miracle that was manifested at Bethlehem. However, to see its full significance, let’s recognize that the gift of God that came at Bethlehem has been made permanent through the gift of God that came on the Day of Pentecost. The Old Testament not only promised the coming of the Messiah as our Savior, but it also promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to the people of God.
Shortly before our Lord ascended to Heaven, He promised His disciples the fulfillment of the Father’s promise of the gift of the Spirit. It’s the Holy Spirit dwelling within us that gives us counsel when we are confused, the one that gives us comfort when we are troubled, and the one that gives us PEACE in the midst of all those crazy things that we see happening around us. What a wonderful gift! (John 14:15-17, 26-27 NIV)
“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So, we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Heb 13:5-6 NIV)
In all of this I am reminded of what this time of year truly means. It’s not how big the Christmas tree is or how many gifts we get. As we approach the Christmas season, let’s read of the prophecies concerning the coming of the Christ child. The angels announced His birth to the shepherds, and the wise men bowed down before Him and worshiped Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And, later, the Apostles recognized Him as the Son of GOD in the flesh.
The greatest gift was the miracle that was manifested at Bethlehem. However, to see its full significance, let’s recognize that the gift of God that came at Bethlehem has been made permanent through the gift of God that came on the Day of Pentecost. The Old Testament not only promised the coming of the Messiah as our Savior, but it also promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to the people of God.
Shortly before our Lord ascended to Heaven, He promised His disciples the fulfillment of the Father’s promise of the gift of the Spirit. It’s the Holy Spirit dwelling within us that gives us counsel when we are confused, the one that gives us comfort when we are troubled, and the one that gives us PEACE in the midst of all those crazy things that we see happening around us. What a wonderful gift! (John 14:15-17, 26-27 NIV)
“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So, we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Heb 13:5-6 NIV)