Impending Doom or Joy to the World

I find myself full of anticipation as in years past, for the coming of the celebration of Christmas, the birth of Christ the Savior. Yet we hear predictions of impending doom from sources such as the extinct Mayans, scientists and some so-called experts. What can we conclude from all that we witness going on in the world today? Simply this: The earth does not offer us sure footing, it never did. Death and devastation have been our lot, since the beginning of time. Simply, we have been born into this condition, a result of disobedience-- having been alienated from our Creator, but not without God having a plan for our salvation, one of God's design, based on faith, and our choices. "Free will" is the gift that He offers us. This plan of salvation includes full restoration, that which was intended for us initially, before our fall and our brokenness. Looking at other voices in history, John the Baptist is the voice of one crying in the wilderness. He comes with a special announcement, "prepare the way of the Lord." John knew of the presence of the Lord when he lept in his mother's womb, before he was born, having foretold the coming of Jesus. Sound predictions can be useful, depending on the source. In order to determine the source for the predictions of John, we refer to bible prophecy, and the the prophet Isaiah 40:3. "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord: Make straight the paths of our God. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill humbled; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places into plains. The Glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God; for the Lord has spoken." This prediction of the Good news has come to pass in the birth of our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ. John came with the announcement, from the womb and then, as he baptised, he made known the coming of the Lord, saying "He is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Matt:3:11). Other messengers announced the coming--The angels confirmed the birth of Jesus to the sheperds. While, the kings proceeded by way of the leading light. The star that led to the Light of the World, in a perilous and lengthy journey of about two years. This, to reach the true Light, the Light that overcomes the darkness, who illumines us through each and every generation of tribulation, a light of love. Jesus is born for us as predicted in Isaiah 9:5. "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. His name will be called the Angel of Great Counsel, for I shall bring peace upon rulers, peace and health by Him. Great shall be His government, and of His peace there is no end. His peace shall be upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order and establish it with righteousness and judgment, from that time forward and unto ages of ages.
Put away all earthly cares, come hear the voice of angels rejoicing, "Peace, Good will toward men."
Go out and proclaim it by helping those who are needy today. Share your love with those who are lost, for ours is a great promise of Hope, not of gloom. Great joy has been fortold to us as read in (Rev. 11:15),the message of the seventh angel. "And there were loud voices in heaven saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" Further in Rev. 21:4 it is given; "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." It could that the anticipation of Christmas rests differently within each one of us. Why settle for nothingness, more of the same, when you have the ability to look a little deeper. John:7:37 "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. (38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." All scriptural passages have been taken from the Orthodox Study Bible