Luke 2:8-15

Luke 2:8-15 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ 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, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They were terrified. Sometimes we are terrified right before the good news is announced. Life can be that way at times. Of course, they were terrified because they had a supernatural phenomenon happen right before their eyes: an angel appeared--not an everyday occurrence in anyone's life. However as is often the case with angels, this visitation was cause for rejoicing. This angel brought the message of "good news": Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. How many of us need "good news" today? How many of need to hear, Do not be afraid? For sure, life can be challenging, even frightening, and sometimes "good news" is far from our ears, but Christ Jesus was born, and He has brought God's favor on mankind. We are no longer alone; God has come in the form of a baby to rescue his creation, his people. Can we believe that or are we still in the bondage of fear? Can we really believe that God favors us, that God desires us, just as much as he desired the first Adam, who is referred to in the Bible as God's son? Did He not walk with Adam? Did He not want to have an intimate relationship with Adam? Yes, He wanted all of that and more. He wanted sons and daughters who were faithful to him regardless of the temptation, regardless of the situation. He wanted those whose hearts were perfect, washed by the blood of the Lamb.

Yes, "good news" has arrived in the form of the Savior. "Good news" has come to all people in the actions at Calvary, and new life, a new relationship, began at the resurrection. We are now children of the Most High. Because of Christ's sacrifice, we now have the privilege to stand before the Father and claim him as our Abba Father. We do not need to be afraid, even if an angel appears to us. We do not need to be fearful even though the future is uncertain, for we have a Father in heaven who knows our names and who keeps track of us even when we are in the desert, unsure of our next steps. We have a Father who has an everlasting love. We have a Father with a plan who paid a great price for us, even his Son, the Bright and Morning Star of Heaven. We are not alone; we are not abandoned as sheep without a shepherd. No, we are those who have experienced the good news of the baby in the manger in our hearts. We are now the sheep of his pastures, and we hear his voice. We know the fulfillment of the angels' message when they appeared to the shepherds, just as Gabriel told Mary, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God." Walk in that favor today!