“but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

Luke 2:10-11 NLT

8 years ago I was standing in a tent full to the brim with 10,000 people. We were all belting out a song about the goodness of God. The atmosphere was electric, the sound phenomenal as 10,000 voices echoed and resonated together. The stage and the lights were drawing us in and a huge white cross hung above the singers on the stage. After a while, my eyes began to close and what was around me began to fade away. I slowly became aware of another presence, beyond the songs and the light. This presence became very real to me, making an impression on me and I felt a weight on my shoulders. This wasn’t a heavyweight, it was the sort of weight where you know someone is there. I became assured that he was God and he had a plan for my life, that he wanted me to share about his goodness. It’s true, the atmosphere was glorious. The whole scene around me was impressive, I felt part of something significant but the really significant thing was that I knew God and was getting to know this good news that was a great joy for all people. 

When I read this passage, my mind quickly went to how impressive and awesome this experience was for the shepherds. And I’m sure it was. But when we look closer, we realise it wasn’t about this angel at all. It was about the Messiah. The good news that would bring great joy. So when the shepherds woke up the next morning to go to work, and again in a few years time, they would still know this very real joy given by Jesus Christ. They would be continually compelled to share this great news. The reality is, we don’t need an angelic experience to know this good news, Jesus has given it to us. The passage asks us, do we know Jesus as good news? Is it a great joy to us and to those we share it with?

So whether you’re in a tent or in a field or at your desk, this good news remains which is great joy to all people. 

Advent Activation

Take a moment to pray today. Ask God to remind you of his good news. Ask Him who you can share the good news with.

 

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