“The angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’…‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’”
Luke 2:10-11,14
Luke 2:10-11,14
Most of us are well aware of that great passage of Scripture. It is one which greatly uplifts us to the highs of Heaven itself because it tells of the One who came from that highest Heaven to a humble manger so that He might save us from our sins and redeem our messed-up lives.
It also moves me because it connects me to every other human being throughout history. That is to say, those shepherds who were the first recipients of this “good news of great joy” heard the same awe-inspiring message that as I do now – a SAVIOR has been born to me! The SAVIOR promised and given for Adam and Eve. The SAVIOR promised and given to Abraham. The same SAVIOR promised and given to Moses and all the Israelites in Egypt and the wilderness. The same SAVIOR given to those in exile; to those in Luther’s time; to those in Abraham Lincoln’s time; to us in our time!
A SAVIOR! What “good news of great joy!”
But we mustn’t end with the Message given and heard. Indeed, what happens next is crucial! What happens? The Heavenly Hosts sing praisesand the Shepherds leave all to go find this Savior and, upon finding Him, they return with joy, telling others what had happened!
The Message of the Savior moves people to Praise God!
The Message of the Savior moves people to Action!
The Message of the Savior MOVES PEOPLE moves people!
If someone is not moved by this Message of the Savior, they either do not understand the magnitude of their sins or the magnitude of the Savior.
So, what actions are the Lord doing in and through you because of this Savior, this “Good News of Great Joy,” this swaddled Deity in the flesh?
If you don’t know yet, perhaps we can help figure that out together.
So come to St. Mark. Come hear this “good news of great joy” about the Savior, Jesus. Come share with us in full measure of love and forgiveness He has for us. Come and share with us the inevitable actions which flow from that news. Come!
In Great Joy for the news of the Savior – for me and for you,
Pastor Scott
Pastor Scott