From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.

These words couldn’t ring truer as we near the end of another year and look back on 2015. In the United States, the defeats that we have endured this year when it comes to the issues of life, marriage, the family and religious liberty can seem like small potatoes compared to the violence and persecution that Christians (and others) have suffered at the hands of Islamic terrorists in France, Mali, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and elsewhere. All are attacks against the Kingdom of heaven.

Have we been defeated? Absolutely not. In the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “Fear not, O worm Jacob, O maggot Israel, I will help you, says the Lord; your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.”  We are awaiting that redeemer’s arrival, not just in a manger, but also in glory on the last day.  His is the final victory.

So how, in the meantime, should we respond to such attacks?

Jesus said that none of us here on earth can compare to John the Baptist, and yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he: Shouldn’t our response be to live our lives in such a way that we may one day be part of that Kingdom? Shouldn’t we, like John the Baptist, be proclaiming the advent of the Holy One of Israel? Shouldn’t we be heralds of hope over fear?

We’re just about halfway through Advent now. Have you found that you’ve stumbled in your efforts to prepare for the Newborn King in the midst of “preparing for Christmas?” Let’s recommit ourselves now to focusing on his Kingdom, which we one day hope to join.

Anna Mitchell is the news director and producer of the Son Rise Morning Show.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. oh yes so many things happening our lives, I am really fighting to prepare for Christmas but the ccheach is up – I do not understand what is happening but my husband is in such a mood, no peace. Please help me pray for peace
    It would be our first without our son Robert so there are lots on our mind. Personally I am able through God’s grace to be quiet. Our last son is waiting for the results of his test a lump was found in his bladder , he is pretending, he is being very secretive which makes him allhe is not bordered but I am sure is he worried
    all alone – Thank you for praying for us – may I wish all of you a HOLY AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS

  2. May the Holy Spirit come in your home and bring peace for you and your husband. And May he also bless your son with good health. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray for you and your family.
    Amen.

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