Xmas News!

Luke 2:1-14

About this time Caesar Augustus, the Roman emperor, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the nation. (This census was taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) Everyone was required to return to his ancestral home for this registration. And because Joseph was a member of the royal line, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, King David’s ancient home—journeying there from the Galilean village of Nazareth. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born; and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven,” they sang, “and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.”

Food for thought!

Life is not about Advent only; there's life beyond Advent. Life is not about waiting only; it is also about arriving. Life is not only about giving; it is also about getting . We have been waiting for Christmas, and now Christmas is finally here. As the Reading puts it,

“The time of darkness and despair shall not go on forever; the people who walk in darkness shall see a great Light—a Light that will shine on all those who live in the land of the shadow of death.”

I know that some of us are always living in Advent, in waiting, in expectation, in shaddows, and sometimes in real darkness. Yes, for some poeple life is a constant night that knows no dawn; for some people life is lived under the shaddow of death and dying. It is to such people that the angel makes this announcement tonight: “Don’t be afraid! I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight”
Please, note the angel’s words: I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! This “everyone” includes YOU and ME; it means all people. We are all included in the joy of Christmas.

Did you notice what the Angel is calling Jesus? Savior! The angel is not calling Jesus a prophet or a priest or a teacher, or even a saint but a Savior! If our greatest need had been knowledge, God would have sent a teacher. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent a banker, if our greatest need had been economy, God would have sent an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent an entertainer. If our greatest need had been military, God would have sent a general. If our greatest need had been for justice, God would have sent a judge. But, our greatest need was forgiveness and redemption, and, therefore, Godyybb sent a Savior! Yes, Jesus has come to save you and me.

For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” “The Prince of Peace.” His ever-expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule with perfect fairness and justice from the throne of his father David. He will bring true justice and peace to all the nations of the world. This is going to happen because the Lord of heaven’s armies has dedicated himself to do it!