Merry Christmas loved ones!

I think that one of the things that makes the birth of our Lord Jesus so amazing is the appearance of THE ANGEL OF THE LORD to the shepherds.  

When people read about THE ANGELS OF THE LORD, they generally picture them as winged creatures flying about singing, “Gloria in excelsis deo.”  This isn’t what those shepherds saw that night when the Angels appeared to them.  

The Hebrew and Greek word for “Angel” is messenger.  Most often in the Bible, Angels appear as people.  Hebrews 13:2 says,

  • Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained Angels without knowing it.

Angels or messengers of the Lord typically appear as strangers and not winged cherubs when they visit the earth.

In Luke’s account of the very first Christmas, several “night-shift” shepherds were watching their sheep when THE ANGEL OF THE LORD appeared among them.  Luke 2:8-9 says,

  • Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, AN ANGEL OF THE LORD stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD tells the shepherds in verses 10-11,

  • “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.

“GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE” ~ This is what the birth of Jesus is all about!  We all crave GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY!  

When we turn on the nightly news, all we hear about are earthquakes, wars, tornadoes, tsunamis, terrorist attacks, oil spills and global warming.  

I remember growing up as a little girl and saying to my dad as he was watching the news, “Daddy, why is it all bad news?”

We have constant access to bad news, which produces a lot of fear and anxiety.  The angel announced to the shepherds, “I am bringing you GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY.”

Today, Jesus’ birth is still GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY!  Why? Because Jesus is our Savior AND Lord!  

Jesus saves us from guilt and shame, from hopelessness and despair, and from fear and death.  

Isaiah 61 says Jesus was anointed to:

  • Preach good tidings to the poor
  • Heal the broken-hearted
  • Proclaim liberty to the captives
  • Open the prison to those who are bound
  • Proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (the year of Jubilee)
  • Proclaim the day of vengeance of our God (to destroy satan’s kingdom)
  • Comfort all who mourn
  • Console those who mourn in Zion 
  • Give them beauty for ashes
  • Give them the oil of joy for mourning
  • Give them the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness

Jesus came to deliver us, lead us, and send us out in His Name to bring hope and healing to a broken world.

This is the “GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE.”  It’s not just for the Jews, but for the Gentiles also.  

Jesus came to save us from the bad news that seems to be all around us and to be for us, “GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY.”

Walking in His Good News of Great Joy,

Lisa Gordon

Gordon Ministries