Good Tidings of Great Joy

Most of us know Luke 2 as well as we know any part of the Bible, because we hear it at Christmas every year, but do we really know it? That is what the stalwart group of men set out to discover this morning at 5 AM. We went over the historical setting of the birth of Christ. We discussed how God worked everything out to have Him born in Bethlehem to fulfill Micah 5:2, while using Augustus Caesar and Quirinius in the process. Of course, God can use anyone to accomplish His will. Then, we discussed social status of the shepherds. However, all of this was just the background for the big announcement.

An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds to give them "good tidings of great joy." We have all heard that phrase at Christmas, but how often do we think of it the rest of the year? It is not just for the birth of Christ. It is for all people all of the time. It is the greatest news of all time. It is the greatest joy anyone can have. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord." If our problem would have been solved by government, God would have sent a politician. If our problem could be solved by money, He would have sent an economist. If our problem could be solved by happiness, He would have sent an entertainer. However, our problem is sin, so He sent a Savior. He sent the God-Man, Jesus Christ.

Have you trusted Him as your Savior and Lord? Have you found that great joy? If not, now is the time. He is there for you and for all men and women, who will confess Him as Lord.

Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 7-9 and Luke 9:18-36.

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