13 Dec Good News

One evening last week, in the cozy glow of string lights and pine-scented candles, I began scrolling through the news section on my phone. The feelings of warmth and cheer dropped with my stomach at the tragedy that seems to strike in every direction.

Fires, shootings, crashes, and protests turned the golden glow into a foggy gray haze as my eyes scanned the updates and news reports. Fear, anger, and mourning swept over me, and my heart ached over these devastating circumstances. All I could think is “for once, I just want to hear some really good news.”

Christmas season comes with plenty of little joyful tidings: extra days off work, discounts on winter boots, and surprise greeting cards from distant friends. We deck the halls with boughs of holly and have ourselves a merry little Christmas, but amidst the merry and bright festivities and traditions, darkness still exists all over the world. Our hot chocolate and neatly wrapped presents bring some small bouts of excitement, but they have no way of solving any of the much bigger problems that are beyond our control. 

Then, I remembered the verse that is read so often during this season:

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11

We hear the story of Jesus’ birth every year in December, and sometimes it’s easy to grow numb to just how amazing and encouraging it actually is. The news that the angel brought to the shepherds in Luke 2 wasn’t merely distracting or temporary.  It was victorious, powerful, permanent-solution kind of good news.

“Light was brought into a world of darkness, bringing with Him hope, peace, joy, and life.”

Light was brought into a world of darkness, bringing with Him hope, peace, joy, and life.  For unto us was born a:

Wonderful Counselor, whose wisdom would transcend that of every human strategist and leader (Isaiah 28:29);

Mighty God, whose power would transcend that of every political leader, every wealthy celebrity, every army or force (Deuteronomy 10:17);

Everlasting Father, whose name endures forever (Psalm 72:17);

Prince of Peace, who would pave a way for restoration between sinful man and the perfect, Holy Father (Ephesians 2:14);

Savior, who would bear and defeat death so that we could be rescued and redeemed from our brokenness (Matthew 1:21).

Humanity is powerless to fight the pandemic of sin and evil that infects the world or to fix the brokenness and destruction it leaves in its wake, but the One who has power to defeat sin and death came into the world to overcome it. Jesus’ birth was the beginning of his victory over it. That is really good news. As we read on in Luke 2, we see that upon the proclamation of Jesus’ birth, a multitude of angels began praising God and glorifying Him, lifting up his name with excitement and worship.

So, what then is our response?  Will we grow numb to the story that is read in church each Christmas season or will we respond in worship to this reminder of God’s immeasurable love and grace? Have you taken time this season to really meditate on the good news brought in Luke 2? What will you do with this news?

-Audrey Birchfield, Kairos Intern