The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
“But I cannot hope,” says another, “that He would even look on me:” and yet He used to look on such as you are. He received sinners and ate with them, and even prostitutes were not driven from His presence. Oh, do not be afraid, since God has taken man into union with Himself! If I speak to one who by reason of sin has wandered so far away from God that he is even afraid to think of God's name, yet inasmuch as Jesus Christ is called “the sinner's Friend,” I pray that you think of Him, poor soul, as your friend. And, oh! may the Spirit of God open your blind eyes to see that there is no reason for your keeping away from God, except your own mistaken thoughts of Him! May you believe that He is able and willing to save to the uttermost! May you understand His good and gracious character, His readiness to forgive offenses, wickedness, and sin! And may the sweet influences of grace compel you to come to Him this very morning! God grant that Jesus Christ may come to live in you, the hope of glory; and then you will sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Amen.  