Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year 2016 | Page 40

Tuesday—December 27th

The Good News of the Angels
Luke 2:8-12
We like to receive good news. Parents like to hear their child is succeeding not struggling in
school. The patient smiles to hear the cancer has gone into remission not progression. The
employee likes to hear about a promotion not a demotion. We like good news.
What do you think would have been good news for the shepherds to hear that first Christmas
night? The price for wool was increasing not decreasing? The wolves that were a threat to
their flocks while they were in the fields were running away not prowling near? God knew
what these poor, powerless, unimportant, and unconnected men needed to hear. God came to
them with the greatest news ever given - Today…a Savior has been born for you. We have a
God who doesn’t want to punish us or simply put up with us. We have a God who pursues us
and purifies us. Like those shepherds, we may be worse than we ever thought, but God is
better than we ever imagined. Listen to the words of the angels: “do not be afraid. I bring you
good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today…a Savior has been for you.”
Don’t miss those little words that heaven and earth cannot contain. For all people…born for
you. God’s love knows no exceptions. So if you’ve been focused more on Healthcare than how
Christmas shows your heavenly Father's care, there is good news for you. If you've been more
attentive to family responsibilities than spiritual growth opportunities, there is good news for
you. If you've been more consumed by the commercialism and consumerism of Christmas than
enthused by the Christ who comes at Christmas, there is good news for you. If you're
struggling with addiction or surprised by your sins, there is good news for you. A Savior has
been born for you.
Not a teacher to tell you what to do. Not an example to show you what to do. Not a coach to
inspire you in what you do. A Savior from what you’ve done. A rescuer from what you’ve said.
A forgiver for who you’ve been. All that really matters in life is what you put between the letter
“s” and the letter “n”. Sometimes we think of ourselves, and put “I” there and we “s-i-n”. But
God looked down, backspaced your vowel and typed an “o”. S-o-n. God’s Son, born for you.
That is Good News!
PRAYER:
Dear Jesus fill my heart with constant joy and everlasting peace for the Good News you've
given to me. Amen.
ACTIVITY:
Make a list of good news you have received. Identify why it was "good" and what difference it
made on you. Then say a prayer of thanks for the ways in which this good news has shaped
your life for the better.

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