Don't miss the good news!

In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, "How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas." He totally missed the big news--man had flown!  

I read another story today about a brother and sister who were singing Silent Night together one day in December. When they got to the end the boy sang, “Sleep in Heavenly beans”. His older sister quickly corrected him, “No! it’s not beans, it’s peas.” 

 

I think that sometimes, especially these days, you and I can sing the songs and read the story and still miss the message. We sing about heavenly peace and the salvation that came to the world on that first Christmas night so many years ago, but we don’t let that news permeate our lives – we’re too distracted – especially these days. 

 

One of my favorite parts of the story is the angels in the field, appearing to the shepherds. Remember what they said? Let's look at Luke 2 beginning in verse 10. I am reading from the ESV.

 

“Fear not,” Now, the angels are saying this because the shepherds are startled by their sudden appearance. They don’t want the shepherds to fear them. But I cannot help but see a deeper meaning here. That the news they are about to share gives us reason to not fear anything anymore. 

 

“for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” 

They have good news that should bring “great joy” to all people – that includes you and me. This news should give us great joy today. Does it? 

 

“11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” 

The Savior had come. I am thinking of a person trapped in a burning building. They see no way out, they are doomed. But then a door breaks down and a fire fighter enters. There is hope now where just moments ago there was none! This person clings to that fire firefighter with all their might and is overjoyed at the prospect of living. 

 

Do you know that no matter what is happening in your world right now the truth of Jesus birth, life, death and resurrection cannot be changed? Do you know that when He was born so many years ago – the Savior, your Savior had arrived? 

 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (oh I wish I could have seen that!)

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”

 

Love you church! 

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