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And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11
Jesus’ birth introduced a Savior to a weary world which had long been pining away in sin and error, as the Christmas hymn phrases it. It was truly a moment for that weary world to rejoice: the thrill of hope in the breaking of a new and glorious morn. If ever there was an announcement brimming with good tidings and great joy to all people, it is this gospel message proclaimed by the angels on that glorious night.
So why is it we find so much of that weary world not rejoicing in this glorious truth? They don’t doubt the sin and error which plagues their world, causing their heart to yearn for a savior. They just doubt that He’s come. And there’s little joy found in pondering our end without a Redeemer to rescue us from our pitiful plight of adversity, anxiety and addiction. But this doubt is unwarranted in light of how that Baby, heralded by singing angels, grew to change the world. As the author of O Holy Night goes on to say: “truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace”. His message of love left a legacy confirming the truth of what He said and who He was.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11
Jesus’ birth introduced a Savior to a weary world which had long been pining away in sin and error, as the Christmas hymn phrases it. It was truly a moment for that weary world to rejoice: the thrill of hope in the breaking of a new and glorious morn. If ever there was an announcement brimming with good tidings and great joy to all people, it is this gospel message proclaimed by the angels on that glorious night.
So why is it we find so much of that weary world not rejoicing in this glorious truth? They don’t doubt the sin and error which plagues their world, causing their heart to yearn for a savior. They just doubt that He’s come. And there’s little joy found in pondering our end without a Redeemer to rescue us from our pitiful plight of adversity, anxiety and addiction. But this doubt is unwarranted in light of how that Baby, heralded by singing angels, grew to change the world. As the author of O Holy Night goes on to say: “truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace”. His message of love left a legacy confirming the truth of what He said and who He was.
Virtually every orphanage, hospital, prison ministry, elderly care facility, and charitable organization originated with Jesus’ disciples living out what He taught them in the first-century Roman world. Healed marriages, reformed criminals, freed slaves, comforted hearts, and war-ending treaties have consistently testified to the authenticity of His gospel of peace and the reliable promise of a “glorious morn” for 2,000 years. And what a glorious morning it will be: “chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother and in His name, ALL oppression shall cease”.
Truly these are good tidings of great joy for all people. The Savior who was sent to us in that lowly manger has not yet answered all of our questions; but the answers He has given and the power of His gospel thus far manifested have proven sufficient to trust Him and to know with utmost assurance that He will complete that which He started; that His love will bring ultimate healing; and that one day our unsettled, finite minds will no longer see Him and all things so dimly - we will see Him face to face; our understanding will be fully enlightened and we will “know as we are known“. So let us occupy this Christmas week with great rejoicing as we celebrate the Babe Whose birth made this thrill of hope possible.
Truly these are good tidings of great joy for all people. The Savior who was sent to us in that lowly manger has not yet answered all of our questions; but the answers He has given and the power of His gospel thus far manifested have proven sufficient to trust Him and to know with utmost assurance that He will complete that which He started; that His love will bring ultimate healing; and that one day our unsettled, finite minds will no longer see Him and all things so dimly - we will see Him face to face; our understanding will be fully enlightened and we will “know as we are known“. So let us occupy this Christmas week with great rejoicing as we celebrate the Babe Whose birth made this thrill of hope possible.
Prayer:
Father,
Let our weary hearts awaken to the thrill of hope that is Christ so that we walk fully in His law of love and His gospel of peace. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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