Luke 2 - "And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid. But the angel said to them, “Listen! Do not fear. For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly there was with the angel a company of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men.”
I want to follow up on how Jesus wonderfully fulfilled each part of the announcement that is highlighted above.
First, "Do not fear." In taking on human flesh and dying, Jesus faced fear and broke the power of the fear of death that haunts and torments every human. His pure love for humans drove out fear, opening the way to trust God rather than to fear.
Second, "good news of great joy." Jesus was the joyful good news. His presence among people always inspired joy and expectation. Here was a person who was fully alive, filled with the love of God for everyone. His presence caused great hope and rejoicing to all who were hungry and thirsty.
Third, "to all people." In spite of the fact that the first century world was "small" and that Jesus moved about in a very limited geographical space primarily among the Jews, He was always relating with and ministering to those who were not Jewish and left no doubt about God's love and redemption being for all peoples. In Jesus we began to see clearly that God has no favorites; all are His own.
Fourth, "the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." Jesus' life began as any human life begins - as a baby, helpless and vulnerable. The way He lived His life as a grown man reflected His identification with the average person. God came in a way that was unexpected and non-threatening.
Fifth, "on earth peace." This announcement of peace concerning this birth indicates that His nature is that of peace. In Jesus peace came to earth. Because He understood that violence only begets more violence, He did not try to resolve force with force. He lived this way of peace and His death manifested His refusal to respond to violence by use of force. He promised peace before His crucifixion and pronounced peace immediately upon appearing to His followers after His resurrection. Jesus was and is the Prince of peace.
Finally, "good will toward men." In Jesus God was showing that He has good intentions for humans, all humans. When we see how Jesus treated humans, we see the good will that God has towards us. God was in Christ saying through Jesus' words and deeds and the outpouring of His life that He loves and wants everyone to experience the goodness that there is in relating with Him.
...astonishing news for everyone about an astonishing Person! GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!
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