Speaking of the night long ago that we are celebrating this week, Luke tells us in chapter 2 of his account, “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!’”
“The shepherds immediately left to see this great thing for themselves. Sure enough, the baby was there! What good news for the whole world! After they worshipped, they left and told everyone they could find, and joy and wonder spread everywhere.”
If what you have heard about Christianity isn’t good news, it’s not a message from God and it isn’t Christianity. If the message people are reading by your life isn’t good news, it’s not Christianity either.
The good news from God is that we can have a personal relationship with our heavenly Father who deeply loves us. He sent His one and only Son Jesus into the world to make it possible for us to be forgiven of all our sins and have a life of joy and purpose. The message is just as true for us today as when the angels first promised peace and favor for all humankind.
That’s the reason we are sharing the good news at our Christmas Eve services on December 24 at 2, 4, and 6 PM. Everyone you know needs this news, and we get to celebrate and share.
We call this time the most wonderful time of the year, and in many ways it is. From God’s perspective it certainly it. But it’s also true that at this time of year in our part of the world everybody is stressed out because they are trying to do so much to make the day perfect, to find just the right gift for the person who has everything.
Here’s the thing – the problem in America is, though we have more than anyone else on the planet as a nation, we are still the most stressed out, anxious people in the world. It’s because we haven’t truly received the good news, We have not received the most important gift of all. That gift is peace in our hearts, minds, and lives.
The peace we need and the peace God gives is peace that is not dependent upon circumstances. This peace is not fragile or easily shattered. It is the gift of knowing the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.
You have an opportunity to extend this gift to your family and friends this year by inviting them to come and sit with you at one of our three Christmas Eve services. This gift will be a gift that will not be forgotten or become irrelevant. If they come and experience the true good news, the gift of peace through Jesus, they will be eternally grateful. Their lives will forever change.
You don’t want to miss it or to miss bringing someone with you. The music and celebration will encourage your heart, and I will be sharing good news from God for us! I will be looking for you!
Joy to the World! The Lord has come!
(NOTE: On Sunday, December 29, we will not be meeting at our physical campuses, but we will be offering an online service on demand.)