But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah

who are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come forth for Me

One to be ruler over Israel—

One whose origins are of old,

from the days of eternity.

Micah 5:2

But the angel said,

“Don’t be afraid, Zechariah!

God has heard your prayer.

Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son,

and you are to name him John.”

—

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,”

the angel told her,

“for you have found favor with God!

You will conceive and give birth to a son,

and you will name him Jesus.”

Luke 1:13, 30

…God is love,

and all who live in love live in God,

and God lives in them.

And as we live in God,

our love grows more perfect.

So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment,

but we can face him with confidence

because we live like Jesus here in this world.

1 John 4:16-17

All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God

have God living in them,

and they live in God.

1 John 4:15

…we have an advocate who pleads our case

before the Father.

He is Jesus Christ,

the one who is truly righteous.

He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—

and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

1 John 2:1-2

May God give you more and more grace and peace

as you grow in your knowledge of God

and Jesus our Lord.

2 Peter 1:2

…keep on doing what is right,

and trust your lives to the God who created you,

for he will never fail you.

1 Peter 4:19