Today is December 21st which is the official
beginning of the Winter Solstice. This
day typically brings colder weather and less sunlight. It ushers in the Winter Season.
On Sunday we were discussing the 400 years of silence from
God between the time period of the Old Testament and the New Testament. Did you realize there was 400 years when God
was silent? Before these years God spoke
mainly through prophets, angels, signs, visions, dreams and even a rare
donkey. But there was a day when He
became silent. For 400 years there was nothing. The seasons continued to change but there was
no Word from the Lord.
Then in Luke 1:11 and angel appeared to Zacharias. The first words from the messenger were, “Do
not be afraid.” Can you imagine what
Zacharias was thinking? Here was a
messenger from God. I’m guessing he had been told these stories of
God from his family, and I imagine he had read these stories himself since he
had been chosen to perform the priestly duties of burning incense in the
temple. But here in the temple, on this day, was the angel--Gabriel standing
before him, giving him a Word from God.
The angel told him that he and his wife would have a baby. That their son would bring joy and
gladness. He would be great in the sight
of the Lord and would turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their
God.
The Silence was over.
And we now know that the Lord was orchestrating the best plan ever—Christmas! The time when Jesus would be born and enter
this world as a tiny baby. The beginning
of His redemption plan for all of mankind.
So I have to ask you—are you experiencing winter or
Christmas?
Are you living in silence from God? Or Are you living in the wonder of the
miracle of Christmas?
We have been choosing to celebrate this miracle all
Christmas season. We have been using the
book, “Unwrapping the Names of Jesus” to keep our focus on Jesus this
season. (And even though we are behind—It
has helped us to look to at all the many different aspects of who Jesus is to
us.) We have been choosing to have joy
and peace.
Then yesterday—we got our own personal message from the Lord
in the form of test results. We found
out yesterday that my CA 125(cancer marker) was normal. We were also told that the nodule that was
found in September “has not grown any bigger”.
The MRI also showed the rest of my body cancer free. (As I’m typing this—I still have a big ole goofy
grin on my face.)
Yall, the Lord is very
much at work and answering prayers! He
is not silent! Praise the Name of Jehovah-Rapha
–the God who heals!
Let me encourage you today to seek after the True Meaning of
Christmas! Don’t experience Winter—experience
Christmas!
Love and Hugs!
Julie
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