Luke 2:8–20, 36–38

Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

DECLARING THE GOOD NEWS
Luke 2:8–20, 36–38

Christmas is a busy time of the year for most and especially for Christians active in a church. They often are involved in parties at work and church, special services and family celebrations. Yet many Christians say little if anything about Jesus’ birth. They do not realize Christmas is one of the best times to talk about Jesus and, indeed, has many built-in opportunities to do so. God wants us to tell others about the good news of Jesus’ birth.

Receive Good News (8–14)
The birth announcement to the shepherds is significant. Shepherding had a lowly place among the occupations of that day. Shepherds were considered untrustworthy and their work made them ceremonially unclean. The most obvious implication is that the gospel first came to the social outcasts of Jesus’ day.

A single angel appeared, causing the shepherds to be afraid. The visible manifestation of the glory of the Lord caused them to be terrified. The angel told them not to be afraid because he had come to proclaim good news of great joy that will be for all people. Here is a bold proclamation of the gospel at the very hour of Jesus’ birth. The angel announced that this day a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. The angel told the shepherds how they could identify the Messiah: He will be wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a manger.

Suddenly a multitude of angels appeared, praising God. The doxology “Glory to God in the highest heaven” is the climax of the story. Its two parts relate to heaven and earth, respectively. God is being glorified by sending His one and only Son to the world as Savior. The “peace” here is that which Messiah brings (Luke 1:79). The people Jesus would heal or forgive on the basis of their faith would go in peace (Luke 7:50; 8:48). Those on whom God’s favor rests are the people to whom God reveals truth according to His “good pleasure.”

Report Good News (15–18)
The shepherds responded to the angelic message of good news by going at once to Bethlehem. There they saw the baby Jesus lying in the feeding trough (manger) as the angel had said. God’s long-anticipated promise to send the Messiah was being fulfilled before their eyes. Then “they reported the message they were told about this child” and became the first evangelists of the Christian era. Luke’s observation that those who heard them “were amazed” is the first of many comments on the enthusiastic response to the messianic proclamation. Like the shepherds, we who have responded to God’s good news in Jesus need to tell others. The joy of the Lord motivated these shepherds to share. Every believer has the responsibility to tell others about the forgiveness available in Christ.

Praise God for Good News (19–20)
Mary was treasuring all these things in her heart. Her thoughts must have included Gabriel’s prediction of her supernatural pregnancy, the birth of John the Baptist, the birth of Jesus and now the shepherds’ words about their angelic encounter and the manner in which the angel described the baby Jesus.

Mary meditated on these things. Christians today should praise God for His love gift, Jesus Christ, by treasuring Him in their heart and meditating on Him with their mind. On this Christmas Sunday, it is appropriate to meditate on God’s grace and mercy that He demonstrated to us in sending His Son to die for our sins. May we never cease to be amazed at God’s love for us.

Thank God for Good News (36–38)
Anna was a godly widow who served God in the temple night and day. Being a prophetess, she recognized the child and His role as the Messiah. Upon seeing Him, she thanked God for His faithfulness to send the promised redeemer. She also declared the good news of His birth to others in Jerusalem.

May this Christmas be a day when believers worship the Lord Jesus Christ with their heart and mind. May believers be eager to declare the good news to those who need to know that God demonstrated His love by sending His Son Jesus to be the Savior of the world.