In the midst of our Christmas festivities, let us pause to meditate on the meaning of our celebration. To do that, let us focus the announcement of the angel to the shepherds. St. Luke 2:10 says,
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
The
angel’s message “I bring you good tidings” translates two Greek words which
could also be translated as “I announce good news to you” or “I proclaim the
gospel to you.” So
the announcement of Christ’s Birth is the beginning of the preaching of the
Gospel. His Nativity is an integral part of the whole story, the entire
Christian message. This birth cannot be isolated from all that Christ means.
This good news is “of great joy.” Despite
all the humility and suffering that will be part of the story, it brings a deep
and lasting happiness, an inner blessedness. And the joy is open to all people.
The lowly shepherds are merely the first chosen to hear. They are humble
representatives of all God’s people.
Christmas
brings us a similar message. The deliverer that we have longed for still comes
through the work Spirit in Word and Sacrament. This is really good news- tidings
of great joy. However, the joy is not to be confused with external worldly
happiness. Whether we have a great external celebration with lots of people, gifts, and
food or we just have a simple and small observance, let us focus upon what God does- how He sends His Son, the eternal Word, to
become flesh and dwell among us. Glory to God in the highest!
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