In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Saviour was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:8-12
Everyone loves a bit of good news. Your neighbour telling you they’re clear from cancer. Your friend sharing that they’re having a baby. Your app telling you that your team has just scored again. Your relative who you’ve not seen in years sending a Christmas card from abroad. It’s great to receive all kinds of good news!
In 2020, good news has often been hard to come by, but for many of us the news of a vaccine being released just before Christmas was great news. For some of us it was the news of families being allowed to meet in small groups in homes that we were most excited to hear.
Christmas really is a time for good news.
“Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:”
Angels brought a message of good news to some shepherds. It would bring great joy, and it was for everyone to hear. A big claim about their message!
“Today in the city of David a Saviour was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
The good news they shared was that a Saviour had been born. These shepherds, and all people in all time need a Saviour.
The shepherds might have been sitting comfy in their roles, content to be watching their sheep, even if they were on the nightshift. Why did they need a Saviour? Why was a Saviour being born good news?
Christmas is a time to deeply reflect on God’s greatest good. He created all things, sustains all things and gives every good thing. We can still see that in part, but sin has broken even the best of our world.
More than that, sin in our hearts means that we cannot know God.
Perhaps the shepherds knew that. Perhaps they didn’t.
Perhaps they knew their greatest need was to saved from their sin. Perhaps they didn’t.
But they heard good news, and they responded to it. They went to find this Saviour. When they found Him, they praised God and shared the good news.
God Himself stepped into His creation to start restoring all things. God didn’t leave the world to rot in sin. Jesus was born. Jesus came as the epitome of God’s goodness, the greatest gift ever given. It is the best news that Jesus, the Saviour, was born.
Perhaps you know that. Perhaps you don’t.
Perhaps you know your greatest need is to be saved from your sin. Perhaps you don’t.
Whether you know that or not, it’s true. You need saved.
Jesus was born to save his people, and that is good news.
Jesus was born, and it was good.
O Come Let Us Adore Him!
A thought to remember: Jesus was born, and it was good.
A question to ask: Do you appreciate just how good it is that Jesus was born to save His people from sin?
A bit more to read: Luke 2:8-20
A song to sing: Hark the Herald Angels Sing