Title: What is so good about Christmas?Text: Luke 2:10

Text: Luke 2:10

“But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”

Intro

Behind every celebration there lies a piece of good news. We celebrate because something good has happened. No one celebrates when something bad happens in their lives. A student celebrates when he/she scores good marks in an exam. A newly married couple rejoices when they have a new-born baby in their family. An employee rejoices when s/he is promoted.

As this Christmas we are all rejoicing and celebrating, we should pause for a minute and think why are we happy today, why are we celebrating? What is so good about Christmas?

The non- Christian Shopkeeper and business owners such as, who sells decoration items, the chicken seller, tent house business owners are also happy this festive season. What makes us different from this business owners who are also happy this festive season?

Context

Luke 2:1-11

Roman emperor Augustus decreed that a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. All returned to their ancestral towns so did Joseph with his wife Marry to register for the census. Joseph took Marry and went to Bethlehem in Judea. Marry gave birth and wrapped him snugly and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. they were terrified, but the angel reassured them and said, “Don’t be afraid” I bring you Good News that will bring great joy to all people. Vs.11 The saviour-yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in the city of David.

Body

Jewish for many years have been waiting for Messiah to come. A messiah that will save them from the hand of the enemies. Many false prophets claimed themselves to be Messiah. They have mistaken many prophets to be the Messiah. But time after time they only met disappointment. In such context comes angels in the midst of the shepherds and tells them that the Saviour, Christ the Lord has born. And that is one of the best good news for any Jewish. A saviour that will save the world from its sin. Interestingly, when Augustus the king of the world was registering the people of his kingdom. Jesus was born, to register his people name in heaven (Luke 10:17-20).

But for us (Nyshi Christian) We are happy not just because Christ was born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago but because He was born in our lives as well. And his birth in our lives has changed us and our society upside down. District like Kurung Kumey famously known as kata kati district after receiving the gospel it has been socially transformed. Today it is hard to find any local wineshops. The crime rate has extraordinarily reduced. It is same with East Kameng (Etia katim), Nagaland (head hunters), America and many other places. When Christ born in families the families were transformed and it is same with the individuals. Today, here in Arunachal Pradesh, Seppa and in Rajawa Church, that is thousands of miles away from Bethlehem we are happy because his birth in our lives and society has been a transforming experience.

We are happy because Jesus Christ transformed us. That is the good news for us.

There is power in this good news. It has the power to make a crooked person straight, it has the power to heal the sick, it has the power to give hope to the hopeless. That is why Apostle Paul in his letter to Romans writes “for I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes- the Jews first and also the gentile (Romans 1: 16)

Implication

Behind every celebration lies a good news, for us this good news is the birth of Christ in the world and in our hearts. Let us allow this Christmas to Christ born in our hearts and transform us.