Don’t be afraid – it’s good news

THE Christmas story has fascinated mankind for years.

Not everyone celebrates it of course. Not even all Christians believe it should be celebrated.

Whatever the case, the gospel writers Matthew and Luke share various aspects of what happened at the time of Christ’s birth.

Certain characters have always intrigued me.

Take Mary for a start. The angel Gabriel appears to her and tells her that she will give birth to a child – God’s child, conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Did she tell her friends and parents? How must they have reacted? The bible says Mary ‘revolved the news around in her mind’.

It’s quite probable she knew the scripture in Isaiah ch 7 vs 14: “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God is with us).”

And what about poor old Joseph, her husband to be? His fiancée is pregnant, he knows it’s not him … that’s a lot for a guy to get his head around.

So the angel Gabriel reappears, reassuring him of God’s plan in all of this.

Fast-forward nine months.

The couple have to go to Bethlehem due to the census. Micah ch 5 vs 2 indicates that a ruler will come from the ‘little’ town of Bethlehem. Coincidence?

What impresses me is their complete trust in God and subsequent obedience.

When the child is born, an angel of the Lord appears to shepherds in the fields.

They were initially terrified. Clearly angelic visitations were not an everyday occurrence.

Perhaps they relaxing after a tough day in the fields, had had some supper, and were talking about their day, maybe having a moan about the Romans.

Next thing: Whoa! An angel. With news to boggle the mind. And then to back it up, a heavenly host appears praising God.

Their words were specific, according to Luke ch 2 vs 14: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

So the shepherds head off to Bethlehem and find the baby in a manger, as the angel said.

One thing was pretty clear – there was a lot of angelic activity going on.

The birth of Jesus was obviously a very big deal.

There are other characters in the story, like the star-following wise men, treacherous Herod and others.

Herod was threatened and wanted this danger to his power removed, hence the order of all male children in Bethlehem and that territory aged two and under be killed.

Jesus arrived on earth in dangerous and dark times. But he came to be the light of the world, and a hope of salvation.

In 1 John 3 vs 8 it says that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. (The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.)

He ultimately did this by dying on the cross – the Easter story – so that the devil’s power over us would be broken, and we could have eternal life through faith in him (Christ).

That’s good news.