Joy has come. He is here!

I had to share with you today's Buckner Devotional... I am sure it is my very favorite one so far.

December 22
Luke 2:8-20
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. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

He is Here! Creation held its breath. Screams tore through the air and tears wet the ground as the baby boy was birthed. The very lungs that would gasp for air on the cross took their first breath - and the very heart that would be pierced began to beat. The Lord Jesus is born.Today tragedy strikes, large and small. Daily struggles meet life-changing news - and we, the creation, groan with frustration. 'Life's not fair' meets 'I feel so alone' and gives rise to, 'I do not know how to handle this.'But that night the baby slept. Wonder filled the air as men came and bowed low. They spoke of angels, and tonight of a savior born.Reverence joined hands with awe, and they fell silent.He has come. He lived, felt, breathed, suffered, loved, wept, hurt with, hurt for, and gave of himself. Thus the handling of life is under-girded with a faith that he knows. He is near. He has made a way, and He is alive. There is hope. Hope for the treatment and healing of our toiling, failings, strivings and our trivial attempts to find life outside of Him.

Joy has come. He is here!

- Mason King