My favorite verse from the Christmas story is found in Luke 2:10 where the angel said to fearful shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (ESV).

Recently I was part of a conversation where those present were bemoaning the problems that 2016 brought our world. They also expressed their hope in a better 2017. I didn’t say it, but my thoughts wondered to 2 Timothy 3:1-7 and the likelihood that the new year will bring it’s own onslaught of problems, unforeseen and unprepared for.

The good news is that though we may find ourselves fearful for the future, we can take hope in the same promise the angel gave the shepherds in the Christmas story – Jesus Christ brings you “good news of great joy” despite the unknown circumstances of these sin-sick last days.

Luke 2:15 tells us that after the angel and a multitude of heavenly host left the shepherds they said to each other “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us” (ESV).

My prayer this Christmas for you, myself, and our fellowship at CrossHope Chapel is that we may cherish the promises of God’s word and head the angel’s “Fear not” and like the shepherds’ make haste to the presence of the Savior.