Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Luke 2:8-12 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
HEAR THE ANGELIC VOICE! GOD FULFILLED HIS PROMISE!
You know the call is coming. You wait for the call from the mechanic about your vehicle, or the message from the teacher about your grade, or the test results from your doctor. Will it be good news or bad news?
We see God often sends His messengers with news to announce His will to His people. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a swift messenger of God's Word "Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" (Isaiah 52:7). And God sends His angels with "glad tidings of great joy" to Zacharias, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary, and others!
These glad tidings are not just "good news," but none other than the greatest news of all time -- the birth of our Savior and the beginning of God's promises fulfilled in Christ our Lord! Promises of redemption! Promises of resurrection from the dead, just as the apostles also declared! "And we declare to you glad tidings -- that promise which was made to the fathers. God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus" (Acts 13:33).
What do these glad tidings mean for the believer? "Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be remembered forever. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD" (Psalm 112:6-7).
Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard the angelic herald's voice, "Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Savior's birth
To you and all the nations upon earth;
This day hath God fulfilled His promised word;
This day is born a Savior, Christ the Lord."
(John Byrom, 1749, The Lutheran Hymnal, 84:2)
