Tuesday
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
(Luke 2:8-14, NIV)
These well-known verses from the Christmas story relate the exciting story describing how the angels of the Lord announce the birth of God’s Son. The angel Gabriel proclaims “the good news of great joy” and refers to the baby boy as “the Lord,” a term usually reserved only for God but subsequently applied to the Messiah as well.
When the host of angels appear, they highlight one result of Christ’s birth for which God is to be praised: “on earth peace.” Of all the things that could have been said about the effect of the birth of Jesus, it is “peace” (shalom) that is emphasized.
Luke, in his meticulous record of Christ’s life, underscores the point that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the hopes of Israel. He is the promised ruler from Bethlehem, the gentle king, the Good Shepherd, the branch from Jesse. He is the one who will bring the gospel of peace. After hundreds of years of Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah, the Lord intervenes in history and the world will never be the same again. God acted as he promised – and for his faithful followers, that is “good news of great joy.”
Prayer
We praise you, Lord God, for fulfilling your promise of sending us the long-awaited Messiah. We rejoice in the “good news” announced by the angels. Your son took the form of a baby and entered history in an unexpected way. We declare Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Amen.