Good news this Christmas

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Luke 2: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:14–15)

“And [Simeon] came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:27–32)

Rather than bringing fear, which is the appropriate response to seeing the glory and greatness of God, the gospel (the “good news”) is described by the angels as “great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). It is a message of joy because our Savior and Lord have arrived to save and reign over people from every walk of life. It is a message of joy because this Saviour and Lord is the One who brings peace and acceptance from God himself (v. 14).

To receive the gospel's good news is to understand that, despite our background and failures, God reaches out to us with the loving message of peace. We receive his gospel when we genuinely trust that the glorious God of the universe is now pleased with us because of the sacrifice of Jesus. The result is freedom from fear (v. 10) and a joyfully eager desire to grow close to this Lord (v. 15).

In Simeon’s words, God intends for the gospel to bless the entire world. Now, in Jesus, God’s plan is being accomplished from the beginning of creation —he is spreading his grace to all the earth, both Jew and Gentile (Luke 2:31–32).

Yet this gospel that unites all people together also divides all people at the level of the heart (vv. 34–35). Because Jesus is God himself in the flesh, to face the gospel of Jesus is to face God. And to face God is to have our thoughts and hearts opened and revealed (Heb. 4:12). This will result in a fall for any who are proud or opposed to Jesus (Luke 2:34). But for those like Simeon who see Jesus and respond to him with hope, there is a great blessing!

This story invites us to see Jesus correctly and receive him as Saviour and Lord at the heart level. We must hold nothing back because God sees and knows everything, even what is in our hearts (Ps. 139:1–6).

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