“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”” Luke 2:10-14
Of course we know that the angels were announcing the birth of Jesus – but why did they say that the good news “will cause great joy for all people” and “on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests”?
Jesus’ birth is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, a reminder of God’s faithfulness from 700 years before.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 NIV
”Immanuel” means “God with us”. For generations, through strife and oppression, those who knew this prophecy had been waiting in anticipation for this prophecy to come true, and now it had!
The Christmas carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” (based on the poem by Henry Wadswroth Longfellow) says it beautifully:
“And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead, nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
the Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’”
Are you waiting in despair for the good news of a savior? Do you know someone who is? Christmas is a remembrance and celebration of the one called Immanuel, who came for all people.
PRAY: “God, please open my ears and heart to the message of the angels to the shepherds, that I would truly understand the significance of Jesus’s arrival here on earth. Even more, that as I seek Him, you would show me where to go and who to tell, so that they might believe, too. In Jesus’s name, amen.”
