Good news

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:10-11 (KJV)

What does this mean?

Shepherds are watching their flocks on a hillside at night when an angel appears, and they are terrified. The angel tells them not to be afraid, because he brings good news — the old words are good tidings — that will bring great joy to all people. The news is that today, in Bethlehem, the town of David, a Savior has been born: the promised Messiah, the Lord himself.

What does this teach us?

The first people to hear the good news were shepherds, ordinary workers on a night shift. God did not announce his Son to kings or priests first, but to the lowly, and the news was for all people, not just a few.

How can we apply this?

If you think the good news is for better people than you, remember the shepherds. It came to them on an ordinary night while they were doing ordinary work, and it comes to you the same way — today, right where you are, in the middle of your ordinary life.

Related KJV passages

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16

Reflection

What good news do you need to hear today, and what would it change to believe it is for you?

Prayer

Father, thank you for good news of great joy, announced first to shepherds and now to me. Help me to believe that this Savior was born for me, and to carry the joy of it into today. Amen.