Good News For All People

Good News for All People

Luke 2:8-20

I remember when I was young that one of the great highlights of the Christmas season was listening to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on television. I remember Linus responding to Charlie’s anguished question about what Christmas was all about. Linus puts His blanket around his heas as though it was the headdress of a shepherd and responds with: “I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” He then recites the Christmas story from Luke. Therefore, it caused me great sorrow to hear that this would be the first season that it would not be shown. Some claim that it is “racist.” I would agree that one must be careful about racist stereotypes, especially those which do not appear obvious. However, one must realize that Christianity was Middle Eastern before it was Western. The first Christmas message was sounded by the angels to humble shepherds watching their flocks. Even though Palestine had been occupies by the Western Greeks and then the Romans, these shepherds were little changed from the shepherds of King David’s day. So let us put aside whatever prejudices we might have and go back more than 2000 years to Bethlehem and hear the message of the angels.

The shepherds were busy minding their own business. Being a shepherd was hard work and could be dangerous at times. Many lonely nights were spent in the field watching over the flocks. Several of them might gather around and tell stories to one another to break up the monotony of the long night. There was little indication of the story that would be told that night. Matthew tells us about the star the Magi saw in the East. Perhaps they were the only ones given the sight to see this star. But the night sky was broken that night in the most extraordinary way to the shepherds. The Jewish leaders went to bed that night as they habitually did. They slept right through the event. The rest of the world slept along with them too. Caesar Augustus who had made the birth of a greater king in Bethlehem possible through his decree was also unaware.

Maybe the shepherds were telling one of their stories to each other when their story was interrupted by the greatest story ever told. The Angel of the LORD appeared to the shepherds. We can read throughout the Scripture that when the Angel of Yahweh appeared that great fear ensued. Isaiah felt undone. Samson’s father was sure he would die. Daniel and the Apostle John fell as dead. One can feel the dread of the shepherds. The glory of the LORD was blinding. I love how the King James bible puts it: “They were sore afraid.” But these shepherds were not going to die. Instead, they would be the first to hear the greatest message ever spoken.

After the Angel of the LORD encourages them to stop shaking in fear, He brings the words: “Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.” Can you hear these words? The Greek word for “glad tidings” is the word we normally translate “gospel” or “good news.” When we hear the word “gospel” we associate it with the message of salvation. So this announcement is a gospel message. The Savior has been born!” This message would continue to be fleshed out in the life of Jesus. We have learned more details of the gospel of our salvation. The Gospel does not even start here. It actually started in the promise Yahweh gave to Adam and Eve after they fell. One of Eve’s descendants would have His foot bruised by the serpent. But this child would give a death blow to Satan. On this night, the old prophecy would find its fulfillment. A greater visitation of God than the daily visitation in the cool of the day with Adam and Eve had come. The Word had become flesh and dwelt among us.

This message was not just for the shepherds. This message was not just for the Jews. This message was not for another ethnic group. Nor was it for a particular social class. The message transcends the time that Jesus walked among us. This joyful message is for all people. This means that this “glad tidings of great joy” is meant for us here today as well. It is also meant for everyone else as well. Instead of the Angel of the LORD telling them directly, He has called us to tell them the message of salvation.

The shepherds are now startled by the appearance of the “heavenly host.” We remember the Christmas Angels and the Heavenly Choir which sung that night. This is true, but the word is actually “army” in Greek, and the underlying Hebrew word Sabaoth means the same. We normally think of armies as those who fight in wars. We think of conquest. They bring death and destruction to enemies and protection for one’s own nation. However, let us listen to this message. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will to men!” These soldiers do not come with the message of war, but rather the words of peace. God does not need armies to protect Him. Here He uses His army to proclaim Him.