Can you hear it? (Advent Day 24)

“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:20 ESV
This is it. Decemeber 24th. The last day of advent. Today we reach the end of the journey. Tonight we celebrate with the angels for there is good news of great joy for everyone – Christ the Saviour, born for us. Born to die for us. Born to raise victorious. Born that we no more may die. Born to give us second birth. Heaven touching earth in love.
Can you hear it? The sound of heaven touching earth. The song of love that echos through the ages. The sound of heaven and nature declaring the glory of God. The glory that is not distant but is available to us all for God moved into our neighbourhood and dwelt amongst us.
Can you hear it? The sound of heaven touching earth. The sound of chains being broken and captive souls being released through the power of the blood of our perfect sacraficial Lamb, the One who left the throne of heaven to come down and reach out to us, humbling Himself to death, even death on a cross. Have you heard it personally? Have you heard your chains be broken? Have you let Jesus set you free? And if you have, have you walked away from your chains? When Jesus breaks our chains we can be totally free from the power of sin over us. We no longer have to bear the burdens. We do not have to remain caught up in the same old things. Step away from the chains He has broken for you. Do not let the serpent decieve you. If you have placed your trust in Jesus the chains are broken and you can walk away free this Christmas.
Can you hear it? The sound of heaven touching earth. The sound of a woman in labour as the impossible becomes possible with God. The sound of hope for each one of us as we face our own impossible situations, for we know we are not alone in them. God is with us. He has not abandoned us. In the struggles of the journey He is with us. He enables us to walk through the valley of the shadow of death fearing no evil for we know He is close beside us, His rod and staff protecting and comforting us (Psalm 23:4). He breathes life into dead bones and makes a way when we cannot see one. Nothing is impossible with God! (Luke 2:37).
Can you hear it? The sound of heaven touching earth. The sound of angels rejoicing. The sound of outcast sheperds praising. The sound of joy breaking out as the lowest of the low realise that though society excludes them, in the Kingdom of God they are most welcome. The sound of hope for each of us that we are not beyond redemption. No matter how low and outcast we are God doesn’t give up on us. He invites us into the family tree. And the challenge for those of us who are already grafted onto the family tree is to view all as God saw us – as not beyond redemption. As you see unsaved family or friends over Christmas don’t stop praying for them. Don’t give up sharing the good news of great joy with them. No matter how lowly someone seems God cares about them for they are made in His image, and He is reaching out to them. And we should be too!
Can you hear it? The sound of heaven touching earth. The sound of hope that resounds through the ages as people realise that God has a plan that has been in place from the start, and that it is a perfect plan. The sound of hope that comes from realising that God keeps His promises. The sound of hope that comes from realising that God is soveriegn and He is in control.
Can you hear it? The sound of heaven touching earth. The sound of love. Perfect divine love. The sound of good news of great news for all people. The sound of the Son of God, humbled to be born as a baby, crying in a manger. The sound that reminds us God loves us and wants to be with us so much that He came to live and die among us. At Christmas we remember how heaven touched earth, and we remember heaven is still touching earth for God is still reaching out to us all. As we remember and celebrate the joy of the gift of hope we can have because of Christ, because of Christmas, let us join our voices with the most unlikely choir of holy angels and outcast shepherds. As we remember heaven touching earth let us go forth today and every day singing out for all to hear “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favours.” Luke 2:14
Merry Christmas and thank you for reading through advent