Scripture For Today
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. - Luke 2:9 to 10 NIV
The Joy Found in Divine Encounters
There are moments in life that shift everything. Moments that arrive unexpectedly and carry a weight that cannot be explained with natural understanding. These moments often come wrapped in mystery, yet leave behind unmistakable evidence that heaven has touched earth. Scripture is full of these divine encounters, and each one carries a common thread. When God draws near, something changes. Fear dissolves. Peace rises. Joy awakens. Hope becomes real again.
As the world moves into the season that remembers and celebrates the birth of Jesus, it is important to pause and recognize that His arrival was the greatest divine encounter humanity has ever known. It was not merely a historical event. It was a supernatural interruption. Heaven stepped into time. The unseen broke into the seen. God wrapped Himself in flesh and came near enough for humanity to behold Him, touch Him, learn from Him, and ultimately be saved by Him.
Think about the shepherds in the field that night. They were ordinary people doing ordinary work on an ordinary evening. Nothing about their situation spoke of glory or divine invitation. Yet God chose them. Heaven opened right above their heads. The glory of the Lord surrounded them. The angelic host sang above them. And a single announcement changed the trajectory of their lives. Good news had come. A Savior was born. Peace had arrived. Joy had entered the world in the form of a child.
Divine encounters often come when the heart is not even looking for them. The shepherds were not praying for miracles. They were not seeking prophetic visions. They were simply available. Positioned. Present. And in their openness, God revealed something extraordinary. This is the heart of divine visitation. God comes to remind the world that He is near, He is active, and He is faithful to His promises.
As you move closer to the celebration of the birth of Jesus, let your heart consider this truth. Divine encounters are not a relic of ancient days. They are still the language of heaven. God still speaks. God still visits. God still reveals. He still steps into the quiet places and illuminates them with His presence. The same glory that broke through the night sky for the shepherds is the same glory that desires to rest upon your life today.
The birth of Jesus teaches the world that God does not wait for perfection before He comes near. The manger was not polished or perfect. Bethlehem was not expecting royal visitation. Mary and Joseph did not have a grand stage prepared. Yet God chose that space for His entrance into the world. This reveals something powerful. God is not looking for the most perfect setting. He is looking for willing hearts. Hearts that will make room. Hearts that will say, Even here, Lord. Even now, Lord. Even in this imperfect space, Your presence is welcome.
Divine encounters also bring clarity. When heaven speaks, confusion must quiet itself. When Jesus enters the scene, darkness loses authority. When the Spirit of God draws near, burdens begin to lift. This is why the angel said, Do not be afraid. Heaven knows that the human heart trembles in the presence of glory. But heaven also knows what follows. Peace. Strength. Revelation. A renewed sense of purpose. Divine encounters bring what nothing in the natural world can offer.
As you prepare your heart for the remembrance of Jesus’ birth, see this as an invitation. Make room for divine interruption. Create space for God to speak. Allow the Spirit to soften the places of your heart that have been hardened by disappointment, grief, or waiting. Heaven still desires to break into your ordinary moments with extraordinary grace. The same God who filled the night sky with glory still fills surrendered hearts with peace and joy.
Let this season be more than routine. Let it be sacred. Let it be a moment of anticipation. Let it awaken a deeper expectation within you. Jesus did not come to bring momentary comfort. He came to bring eternal transformation. His arrival marked the beginning of redemption for all mankind. His presence still transforms, still comforts, still frees, still renews. When you welcome the presence of Jesus, you welcome the fullness of joy and peace that only He can give.
Whatever you are facing today, remember this. God knows how to find you. Whether you are standing in a crowded place or alone in a quiet field like the shepherds, heaven knows your name. Divine encounters are not earned. They are given through love. Be open. Be attentive. Be expectant. For the Savior who once came in Bethlehem still comes into willing hearts today.
May your spirit be tender and your heart be ready. May you sense the nearness of God in fresh ways. May joy rise in places that felt empty. May peace settle in places that felt shaken. And may the story of Jesus’ birth remind you that God delights in stepping into your world with light, hope, and glory.
Prepare your heart. A Savior has come. And His presence still changes everything.