THOUGHTS, December 8, 2020, continuing with Devotional from I Thessalonians, chapter 1:5.

"...for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake."

 "not...in word only" This reminds me of one of my favorite Scriptures, John 1:1-2 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God."

Then, I John 1:1, "What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life."

Jesus came, the Word of God, in Bethlehem, in a humble circumstance.  I think of the angels becoming glitter falling from the sky to shine upon His birth and whose words announced the coming of the Word.  I think of the shepherds who were stunned in the fields, who were awed in the stable, then went out and told everyone with conviction that He, the long awaited Messiah, had come.  I think of those privileged to have had seen with their eyes,  what they beheld and what their hands handled.  The Holy Spirit was radiant in that tiny babe who held the whole world in His hand in a wee fist before He could speak a word. 

It is up to us to prove what kind of men and women we are for other's sake with this precious gift entrusted to us.  The Holy Spirit is vital to whatever we do.  We need His power and full conviction to fall on us.

Adam Clarke said, "'For our gospel.'  That is, the glad tidings of salvation by Jesus Christ and of your being elected to enjoy all the privileges to which the Jews were called...'Came not unto you in word only.'  It was not by simple teaching or mere reasoning that the doctrines which we preached recommended themselves to you...'And in the Holy Ghost.'  By His influence upon your hearts, in changing and renewing them; and by the testimony which you received from Him, that you were accepted through the Beloved, and become the adopted children of God.  'And in much assurance.'  The Holy Spirit who was given you left no doubt on your mind, with respect to either the general truth of the doctrine or the safety of your own state.  'What manner of men we were.'  How we preached, and how we lived, our doctrines and our practices ever corresponding."

Charles Wesley wrote, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." 

"Hark the herald angels sing: 'Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.' Joyful, all ye nations rise: Join the triumph of the skies; With angelic hosts proclaim, 'Christ is born in Bethlehem.' Hark the herald angels sing. 'Glory to the newborn King.'

Christ, by highest heav'n adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord!  Long desired, behold Him come, Finding here His humble home.  Veiled in flesh the God-head see; Hail th'incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel!  Hark the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King.'

Hail, the heav'n-born Prince of peace!  Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!  Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n with healing in His wings.  Let us then with angels sing: 'Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.'  Hark the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King.'"