Behold

I've always thought of angels when hearing the word behold.

Last week our pastor, Steve Fairchild, preached on the word behold. I started thinking about this word.

Merriam-Webster defines behold like this:

1 : to perceive through sight or apprehension : see
2 : to gaze upon : observe It was a pleasure to behold the beauty of the sunset. The enormous crowd was a sight to behold.

When God uses behold in the Bible, he's trying to get our attention. It's not just a fluff word. Pastor Fairchild suggested when we see the word behold in the Bible, we need to stop, listen, pay attention and look at what God wants us to see.

Luke 1:26-31

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed[b] to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

Matthew 1:20 says, " But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

John 1:29 says, "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Luke 2:10 says, "And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

Good news and great joy! How awesome is that? I hope your Christmas is full of great joy! Merry Christmas!