Encouragement

“Arise and shine” the prophet Isaiah calls out to the people of Israel, “For your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1).

This is a wake-up call with an equal amount of optimism and purpose spoken to the people of God who might have wanted to pull the covers back over their head. As Paul wrote, “Awake thou who sleepest, and Christ will give you light.”

Jesus said, “Do not hide your light under a bushel.” It is the light that shines forth in us that brings glory to God. Giving God glory starts with recognizing that God is the source of life, truth, love, and all good things. It’s saying (out loud or in your heart), “God, You are worthy.”

This can happen through prayer, worship, or simply thanking God. When you give God glory, you’re not taking credit for everything yourself. Instead, you’re acknowledging God’s role—your abilities, opportunities, and successes as gifts rather than something you earned alone.

Actions matter just as much as words. Showing love, humility, honesty, forgiveness, and compassion reflects God’s character and gives Him glory.

In this sense, your life becomes a “picture” of what God is like. Giving God glory means making God visible and honored through how you think, speak, and live—so that others (and you yourself) see more of God, not just you. Two angelic declarations that manifest heaven are “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “Glory to God in the Highest.” The announcement of the birth of Jesus was full of the Glory of God.

How powerful is our confession when we simply say, Glory to God! It is a part of our giving to Him. He alone deserves all of the Glory. Blessings!

We know and have heard many sermons on joy. It is one of the wonderful evidences of the Holy Ghost, especially the baptism in the Holy Ghost! I remember after receiving Him the most joy and gladness I had ever experienced. For righteousness, peace, and joy are in the Holy Ghost. We are baptized in Him and receive the Kingdom of God with great joy.

The night of Jesus’ birth, the heavens were filled with great glory and great joy. This great joy was announced to and for all people.

Be joyful unto Him and bless His name was a chorus we sang during the pouring out of His Spirit in the late 60s and 70s.

Great joy in the Bible centers on God’s presence, salvation through Jesus, and the hope of His coming kingdom. It was accompanied by and highlighted by angels announcing Jesus’ birth as “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10). The disciples’ overwhelming happiness at His resurrection and the spread of the Gospel was a supernatural, enduring joy deeper than circumstance. It is an eternal fountain springing up in us. It is God’s delight to see joy in His people.

Heavenly Moments of Great Joy

Jesus‘s Birth: Angels proclaimed “good news of great joy” to shepherds, marking the arrival of the Savior. 


Jesus’ Resurrection: The disciples experienced “fear and great joy” running from the tomb, and later returned to Jerusalem “with great joy” to praise God.

The preaching of the gospel through all the world: The inclusion of Gentiles brought “great joy” (Acts 15:3), showing the joy of God’s kingdom expanding with salvation and new life. Jesus spoke of His joy being in believers and John the Baptist leaped in the womb at Mary’s greeting (Luke 1:44). 

During this season and the celebration of His Birth, let us receive His wonderful joy and may we be filled to overflowing with it. Glory to God in the Highest, and great joy to all!

-KC

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. – Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

As scripture has spoken to us very clearly about the birth of Jesus: He came in the fullness of time. This was the time that was prophesied and chosen by God. This was divinely appointed, the perfect time for Jesus to be born.

While they were in Bethlehem, her time had come to give birth. Mary giving birth is the fulfillment of God sending His Son into the world for His redemptive work in mankind. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, a trough, where animals eat.

The word Manger means to eat. This has such spiritual significance because Jesus would be known as the bread of life. Spiritual Sustenance: Jesus presents Himself as the true bread that satisfies spiritual hunger and thirst, offering eternal life, unlike physical bread that perishes.

We might say God’s timing, His place of choosing, and the sending of His Son have set a table for His invitation: “Whosoever will may come.”

“Do not despise small beginnings” means that humble, seemingly insignificant starts are valuable and can grow into great things. A little town, a little couple, and a little baby will begin a journey that will shake the nations of the world. We will see the words of the Innkeeper echo from this little Inn, because there was no room in the Inn.

The question is, will we make room for Him in our hearts? If you have not, I employ you and even beg you to make room for Him in your heart.

Hallelujah!

Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. – ‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. – Micah 5:2

Key aspects of the prophecy:

• Birthplace: Bethlehem Ephrathah (the specific Bethlehem in Judah).
• Figure: A ruler/leader for Israel.
• Origin: “From of old, from ancient times,” signifying divine or eternal origins. 

Bethlehem of Judea, a small and seemingly insignificant little city. For in the very beginning, as Paul writes, he humbled himself, left heaven, and became a man. The seed of God planted in a virgin, a miracle of all miracles.

He would be a leader and ruler of Israel whose origin was the ancient of times. This is not an ordinary birth. This child will be known as the son of God.

As Joseph leads Mary on a donkey into the city that in itself is prophetic. Jesus is prophesied to make another entrance in about 31/2 years into Jerusalem, the city of the great King, on a donkey.

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. – Zechariah‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬

So now this changes everything. Nothing will ever be the same. In fact, all things shall become new.

Hallelujah!

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. – Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters. – Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

If ever anyone doubted that our God in Heaven is not in control, this fulfillment of the birth of Jesus cannot be denied. God is the God of Heaven and earth and His Word established all things, and all things are done by His Word. All authority serves His Will and purpose.

As in this verse, Caesar Augustus makes a worldwide decree that everyone should be registered in the city of origin and be taxed. Mary, who was pregnant and great with child with Jesus, and her husband Joseph traveled to Bethlehem for a Roman census.

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” – Micah‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

How certain and exact the Word of God is. The decree from Rome and its ruler has set in motion the setting for the birth of Jesus, the Messiah and King. This evidence alone demands a verdict and a choice.

Just in Luke’s account in these first verses, we clearly see God’s fulfillment and will for the world: Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. Heaven is always preeminent and in control by the Word of God. He speaks and creation and governments and the peoples of the earth all either receive or reject the Will of God. All of Heaven only does what the Will of God is, no shadow of turning. On earth as it is in Heaven.

Now by this decree, fulfillment, the perfect, pre-ordained moment in history, as the prophets foretold.

God will be with us.

Hallelujah and glory to God!