Christmas Eve 2019

Great Joy - Good News

Luke 2:6–11 NIV

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Christmas is a story of good news

The angel mentions this set of 3 titles - Saviour, Messiah, Lord. And thisis the only place in the bible this specific pairing phrase is told so concisely. The angel is trying to say 3 things about Jesus.

First, he’s a saviour - he’s come to save his people. Not to cast out or reject.

Secondly, he’s the messiah, or Christ. He’s the special person who has been uniquely empowered by God.

Thirdly, he’s Lord. This is saying that literally, he’s God.

So, the angel is painting a picture - that God himself has come in His power to rescue his people. And that is great news.

Luke 2:15–20 NIV

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Christmas is a story of great joy

This is a world changing thing, because it’s not a set of regulations. It’s not a set of rules to just check the box day in and day out. It’s not some other system, or some other diet, or some other fad.

This is God, come in the flesh, to take on the biggest problem in the world - death and separation from Him.