TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20

READ: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” Luke 2:8-9

REFLECT: Shepherds were not easily frightened people. These were tough guys who were used to the wild and used to defending themselves. Yet they see “the glory of the Lord” and they’re terrified. You know what? God’s glory is terrifying! Not because God is mean, but because God is overwhelming. Overwhelming in holiness, overwhelming in love and overwhelming in peace.

Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by life, by fear, by control, by desire, and we forget that God is more overwhelming. Jesus told his disciples, just before he was going die and things were going to look completely overwhelming, that we can be at peace because he has overcome the world (John 16:33). No matter the circumstances, our peace is secured because Jesus was born and Jesus has overcome!

Knowing that God has overcome the world, how can you live in peace today?