I Bring You Good News

Luke 2:8-14 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Christmas is a time of joy for many people. The whole process of thinking of family and friends we plan to buy and wrap gifts for is part of the joy of Christmas. Consider what you go through in this process of expressing your caring about and love for others. You need to know something about the person the gift is going to. That means you are a part of their life. You have the choice in your gifting something to go the route of a gift card. Now this is a double-edged sword type of gift. It may be perceived as taking the easy way out. Or it may be perceived as a very thoughtful gift that allows the person receiving the card to go out a chose something they would like to have to make their own life a little better. It really means you care enough to share with a friend or family member a part of you. It is a gift from the heart intended to bring joy to the person receiving the gift.

The Angels sharing the good news of the birth of the Christ Child is much like the wrapping paper or gift bag around a gift you and I would give.  When we chose the paper or bag to place around a gift we often have a choice in style, color, and things like bows of papers to stuff in the gift bag.  And we all know that this part of the gift, no matter how carefully it is prepared that is quickly set aside to allow the recipient to gain access to the true gift. It’s the gift we intend to bring joy into their hearts.  And so it is with the Angel’s message. The presentation was no doubt overwhelming to the shepherds. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”  The true gift of joy was found in the form of “a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  And this was no ordinary baby they announced the birth of. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” This was the long awaited good news, a Messiah - The Lord had arrived. Each of us knows exactly how it felt to receive this news because each and every one of us has heard that news for the first time in our lives. And we keep hearing the good news. We repeat that message each Advent, and through out the year when we read the Gospel of Jesus Christ or hear a message in Church. Friends, the Gospel is a gift you and I need to share. And we need to find a way to share that good news with those who have not yet heard the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s a gift of joy that outshines any bows, ribbons, gift bag or wrapping paper we can find on this earth.  Pray for an opportunity to share Jesus with someone at Advent.

PRAYER: Father, Your Angels boldly announced to the shepherds to news of the birth of Your Son. This is the news we have heard preached from the pulpit on Sunday. It is the news we read each time we pick up our bibles. Help us to find ways to share that good news with those who have yet to hear of Your love. Help us to also reach out to those who have turned away or believe they are too lost in sin to be saved. These things we ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.