The Seven Good News Of Christ’s Birth

THE OLD MAN’S CHRISTMAS STORY

Luke 2:8-20

Randy Bataanon

The seven years old boy asks his grandfather to tell him his most exiting story before he can go to sleep. The old man stare him for a few seconds and then opened his mouth. Alright grandson, I’m going to tell you my most exiting personal story more than 70 years ago in field of Bethlehem. I was only teenager then and we are all shepherds watching our flocks in the fields nearby when suddenly an angel appeared in the midst of us. The presence of angel enlightened the whole vicinity and all of us became so afraid. Wow. That is exciting grandpa!, the boy exclaimed. Tell me more about it. What happened? Did you feel scared? Did you run? What the angel looks s like?

The Old man continued. We were really terrified, but then, the angel said “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.”

The boy’s eyes sparkled in excitement and ask the old man. You mean a hero of Israel has born. I guess he could be a son of the king and live in a big palace or mansion. Did you ask the angel where you can find the new born hero of Israel?

The angel actually told us where we can find him. The angel said: This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. In a manger? Ask the little boy. I thought he is son of the king. How could it be that he is lying in an animal manger? is there any choir present on the manger grandpa?

Yes there was a choir. But it’s quite different. It’s actually extra ordinary. I remembered… 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.

But grandpa, how did this personal experience become your most exiting story? Because my grandson, this is the first time in my life as a shepherd that I feel so honored and privileged to hear the most wonderful proclamation that even the kings of this world has been denied; the proclamation of good news about the birth of the Savior.

THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRISTMAS

LUKE 2:8-20

What could be the benefits of Christ birth into this world? The proclamation of good news by angels gave us the summary.

1. The birth of Christ fades away all fears (v10 “Angel said to them, Do not be afraid”)

There are many reasons why the angel admonished the shepherds by saying, Do not be afraid. First, it is just natural for the shepherd to feel terrified when they saw the glory of the angels. The shepherd understand that angels are superior being and they are but an ordinary shepherd considered by many as third class citizen. But Aside from that, the angel probably means that all your present fear will be dissolves by the good news that they will eventually proclaim.

The shepherds have many fears; it could be the bears of the field or lawless bandits. They also fear the Roman soldiers who from time to time harassed them. But like every human beings, Shepherd has a fear of death. The Savior, who has been born on Christmas, specialized in vanishing fear in our hearts. He conquered fear by conquering death when he rose again in the third day after they crucified Him.

2. The birth of Christ brings great joy (v10 “I bring you good news of great joy”)

Being a shepherd is one of the loneliest careers in the Middle East. This job denies any one the opportunities to attend many social gatherings and activities. Shepherd cannot even attend the church or any parties. They spend all their time watching their flocks away from the luxury of the city life. Jesus has been called the man of sorrow so that he can give us joy. This is the promise of God in the future;

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

3. The birth of Christ breaks down walls of discrimination (v10 “that will be for all people”)

Shepherd is one of the meanest or lowliest jobs in the Middle East. This work is intended to the least of family members or to servants. David was a shepherd boy when Samuel the prophet has been sent by God to anoint a king from the sons of Jessie. That is why he is not present and has to be called by his father when Samuel required that he should be present during the anointing ceremony.