“You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’”
Isaiah 40:9
The angels did not appear to the shepherds to warn, to instruct, or to give an assignment. They came to announce good news.
We can all use a bit of good news, right? Most reports we hear seem to be bad news about our health, the economy, the environment, or the political world. Some of it may even be exaggerated or designed to manipulate. The real problems in our world are so commonplace that they are hardly even news anymore.
What sort of good news would you like to hear? A good health report? News of a job or a promotion? Hearing that someone loves you? To hear that the future is secure? “All of the above”? We find ourselves taking a shred of good news as consolation for all the other bad things in our lives. Sometimes it can be hard to imagine overall good news.
The news the angel brought at Advent was so very good because the Son of God had come into the world to right all wrongs and heal all hurts. Things were really going to be different now. God has great plans for His people. And that’s good news!
We can all use a bit of good news, right? Most reports we hear seem to be bad news about our health, the economy, the environment, or the political world. Some of it may even be exaggerated or designed to manipulate. The real problems in our world are so commonplace that they are hardly even news anymore.
What sort of good news would you like to hear? A good health report? News of a job or a promotion? Hearing that someone loves you? To hear that the future is secure? “All of the above”? We find ourselves taking a shred of good news as consolation for all the other bad things in our lives. Sometimes it can be hard to imagine overall good news.
The news the angel brought at Advent was so very good because the Son of God had come into the world to right all wrongs and heal all hurts. Things were really going to be different now. God has great plans for His people. And that’s good news!
Scripture Focus
Luke 2:8-14
Insight
“You know the message God sent to the people …, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:36)
Bible In A Year
- Daniel 5-6
- Proverbs 7
- Hebrews 9-10
