For you

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but he angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy top all the people. This very day in David’s town your Saviour was born—Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.’ (verses 9-12)

Read Luke 2:1-20

What can I say about Christmas that hasn’t already been said? Theologians have written their books, pastors have preached their sermons, choirs have sung the songs. And I have to say something new?

Fortunately I don’t, for the best thing about Christmas is that is has all been said before, by the angel on the hilltop outside of Bethlehem. ‘Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you. . . this very day in David’s town your Saviour was born—Christ the Lord.’

And there it is, the message of Christmas in a nutshell, and it’s a message for you. It’s the good news message of the birth of your Saviour, the good news that displaces fear, the good news that bursts in on the humdrum of everyday life, the good news that turns life around and says there is a Saviour from sin and death.

Celebrate this day, not only because of the turkey and the trimmings, but in the knowledge that the good news of Christmas is good news for you.’

Lord, may the good news of this day bring joy to all people. Amen.

by Anne Maczkowiack, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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