The Good News of Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2023

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Isaiah 52:7-10

Psalm 98

Hebrews 1:1-12

John 1:1-14

We live in a world today that any news you hear it is just bad news. In fact, most news outlets will not report any news unless it is negative news. For whatever reason in this fallen world, bad news sells. Bad news is all of the gossip and rage that people want to hear about. This is what is popular to our world today. This has been what has been popular in our world for centuries and Millenia. However, 2000 years ago something happened that was unexpected. In reality it always was expected as it was foretold by prophets before but in truly knowing when and what to look for not many were doing so or ready for this news of news of all time. To anyone else in the world looking at the couple Mary and Joseph they would be seen as just a pregnant girl and just an ordinary man. Then when the baby was born anyone else looking would see just a babe. However, news broke out and it was found that this was more than just a babe and more than just a girl. This was the mother who carried the Son of God.

Angels had appeared before shepherds announcing the good news of Christmas. In the little town of Bethlehem, a savior has been born who is Christ the Lord. This is the news of all time and what is strange is that it is not negative news and better yet it is proof that good news can and does sell as this news has been shared and told for 2000 years. There were only a few who were actually waiting and keeping watch for these events to unfold. We call these few the wiseman or the magi. These men were not men from Jerusalem. They were most likely Meades or Persians who knew of the prophecies that were foretold. Most likely these men were well learned in the writings of Daniel as he was known as the wisest of all and therefore the head of all the magistrates. They were waiting for the signs of Daniel’s prophecies to unfold. They saw the sign in the stars and started out following the light of the star know that the greatest news was about to unfold. They knew what was coming and they were prepared with gifts that were fit for a king.

Isaiah 52 tells us “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news.” What is beautiful? Is it the mountains that are beautiful? No, it is the feet of those running to bring the good news. There is beauty in the bringing of good news. The news bearers “proclaim peace... bring good tidings… proclaim salvation… they say ‘Your God reigns!’” This good news is not just for Jerusalem for Isaiah tells us that “all the ends of earth will see the salvation of our God.” That is the most wonderful news. Salvation does not belong just to God’s chosen people of Israel but it belongs to all who call on the name of the Lord and all who hear and accept this most wonderful news. This is the good news of Christmas!

The next part of the good news is found in Hebrews 1. In the past we had to get our information about the Lord and His desires through the chosen prophets. However, Christmas marks the event in which all of this changes for God speaks to us directly through his Son, Jesus. “The son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” He sustains all life and salvation through his word. This is the good news of Christmas.

The son was there since the beginning. Hebrews tells us that it was through him that he made the universe. He laid the foundations of the earth from the beginning. All of these things shall perish but He shall forever remain. He has been given the position above the angels for he never called the angels his son as he had done so with Jesus. Through him we too may be called children of God for we are created in his likeness and will share the same inheritance as that of our Lord Jesus.

The book of John presents to us the good news of Christmas in his own style and way of explaining things. He doesn’t just come out and speak directly but speaks poetically the message of truth and the good news of Christmas. For he explains once again just as it does in Hebrews, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” Jesus was there at creation. Jesus is and always has been Lord God almighty. Then “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” What god has ever made his dwelling among us, or lived as we live. All of the gods that were made up by man would never have been caught living as one of us. It is too beneath them to do such a thing. However, our God humbled himself out of love for His creation and entered the world in the form of weak flesh and in the form of an infant that must be cared for and taught to do what is right. However, this child would be different for he would carry the very desire and voice of the Father. This is the good news of Christmas.

We started out this evening by talking about how bad news seems to be what sells these days. However, my hope and prayer for you this Christmas is that you will leave all the bad news behind and seek out the good news of Christmas. May you know that salvation is here. May you know that Jesus was more than just a babe. That Mary was more than just a girl. That on a silent and ordinary night a king was born into the world. The angels came to proclaim it. The shepherds left everything and ran away to see it. Men from afar waited in anticipation and traveled to see what was promised. May you pay attention this year to the good news of Christmas.