Christmas message

     καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ ἄγγελος Μὴ φοβεῖσθε· ἰδοὺ γὰρ εὐαγγελίζομαι ὑμῖν χαρὰν μεγάλην, ἥτις ἔσται παντὶ τῷ λαῷ, Luke 2:10

Dear Friends,

     Above is the original Greek text for St. Luke 2:10. The highlighted words capture the essence of the Angel’s message to the shepherds on the night of our Savior’s birth. Translated into English we read: “fear not; behold indeed, I bring good news to you of great joy”. So many times, this Advent season we have heard an Angel of the Lord heralding those same words “fear not” as a prologue to God’s message, delivering God’s message to the person addressed by name. I believe this is intentional. God knows each of us by name. And his divine message is meant for his receiver to share with the world.

     In the Nativity of our Lord’s gospel, these chosen shepherds identified by God receive good news of great joy. A promise now kept on the most holy night - soon to be shared the world. Moments earlier a very pregnant Mary and her husband Joseph slipped into Bethlehem. As the angel Gabriel shared, fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God. She would conceive and bear a son and name him Jesus. On her delivery night, no room was available for their stay in Bethlehem. Even so, God provided a humble abode for this joyous event now shared with the shepherds. They went to the Christ child and shared with Mary all what had been told them. She in turn treasured all their words and pondered them in her heart. After this the shepherds glorified and praised God for all he has done.

     And so, what is it God is saying to us? I suggest God’s message to us is fear not – dear child, I have heard your prayers, I come to you in your pain, suffering, and anguish to redeem you and bring you safely home. For with God nothing is impossible. Fear not, behold indeed, good news of great joy. Joy that cannot be seen, but rather held in the hearts of the faithful. At the heart of the matter is a loving God who comes to us again and again and once for all. Whatever troubles you, fear not; behold dear one – I call you by name, says the Lord and I bring good news of great joy – Jesus Christ your Savior is born this holy night in your midst. Oh, what hope fills our hearts!

     For those who believe God’s grace is neither won nor earned, but freely given, understand whole heartedly the words given to the shepherds from God’s angel: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. It is now our turn to share the good news of great joy with the world. Fear not, embrace your situation and know God is with you, before and beside you all the way. The world needs good news both in word and deed. People who are looking for hope can see it in us!

     Merry Christmas!
Pastor Wade+