I Bring You Good News of Great JoySample

Jesus’ birth was announced to a group of shepherds

“And 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.’” (Luke 2:10-11)

Once more, God sent an angel to announce Jesus’ birth. This was no longer a pre-announcement; His coming was now a fact. The angel was not sent to the royal palace to inform King Herod or the Roman officials, nor did He go to the religious leaders. The news of Jesus' birth was first delivered to a group of shepherds who spent the night in the field watching their sheep.

Like Zechariah and Mary, the shepherds were startled by the angel's sudden appearance. However, the latter reassured them: instead of fear, he came to bring “good news of great joy, " not only for these shepherds but for all the people. The promised Savior was born!

The angel also gave a sign confirming this great news. “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” This sign still required faith in the angel's words. After all, there was nothing to prove that this baby was the Lord. As Isaiah put it centuries earlier, “He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” And yet this baby was the Son of God.

All glory to Jesus Christ, who was willing to humble Himself so deeply to save us humans!