“The Road to Bethlehem” Advent devotion for December 14, 2021. Photo by Good Good Good on Unsplash
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)
We certainly get enough bad news. Disease, war, storms, shootings, recalls, shark bites and car crashes fill the headlines. A little good news would be great, wouldn’t it?
This good news is unique. It’s good news for all people. It’s good news for shepherds, for Roman soldiers, for children, for criminals, for tax collectors, for slaves, for priests, for fishermen, and for jailers. It’s good news for past generations who heard the promises and for future generations who would hear the story. It’s good news for us.
Just down the road to Bethlehem, a baby was born. A birth announcement is happy news for family and friends. What about everyone else? A Savior was born. That’s good news for the future, but what if you need rescuing right now? Christ the Lord was born. Wait. Wasn’t God already around at creation?
Okay, so we’ve got a lot of questions. But the announcement is clear. God’s here. And he’s here to help.
That’s usually the headline when an angel shows up. After dreaming of angels, Jacob woke up and realized, “God is in this place!” Before the battle of Jericho, Joshua got a visit from the commander of the Lord’s army. He would have plenty of help in that campaign. An angel fed Elijah in the desert. God still had work for him to do. An angel woke Peter up in prison and walked him out the door. The Lord hadn’t abandoned him!
This is good news of great joy because we are children of God through faith. This is good news of great joy because Jesus’ life and his death do save us from sin and death. This is good news of great joy because we don’t have to go it alone. He is Immanuel, that is, “God with us.”
Thank you, Lord, for the good news! I need a headline like that every day. Amen.
Waite for it... 