Merry Christmas!

As we celebrate this holy day, let me remind you that it’s a day of good news! On the night Jesus was born the Bible describes the angels’ visit to the shepherds:

“In the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And 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. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:8-14)

Good news? While you may intellectually agree, it might be hard to feel good news if you’re in the middle of difficult circumstances. Without minimizing your distress, let me echo the angel’s message in a way that might be specific for you. The Bible has something to say to you regardless of what you’re facing.

What is good news for you this Christmas?

What is good news for:

• A person struggling financially? You have been given Jesus, the Pearl of Great Price. (see Matthew 13:45-46)
• A divorced person? “I will betroth you to me forever.” You are MINE. (see Hosea 2:19-20)
• A sex-trafficked young person? “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)
• A person feeling on the outside because of their background, gender, or race? “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, but you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
• A person with mental health struggles? “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
• A betrayed spouse? “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases… great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
• A person who experienced trauma and now dysfunctional? “A bruised reed he will not break, nor dimly burning wick he will not quench.” (Isaiah 42:3) “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted.” (Isaiah 61:1)
• A person addicted to – porn, alcohol, drugs? “So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
• A person who’s lost a loved one? “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)
• A couple struggling with infertility? “Sing, O barren one. … For more are the children of the desolate one than the children of her who is married.” (Isaiah 54:1)
• A person in a long season of unwanted singleness? “For your Maker is your Husband, the Lord of all the earth.” (Isaiah 54:5)
• A person wrestling with unwanted same-sex-attraction? “I have loved you with an everlasting love; with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
• A person in a miserable destructive marriage? You are El Roi, the God who sees, who looks after me.  (see Genesis 16:13)
• A person who is physically sick, or near the end of life?  “I am the Lord your healer.” (Exodus 15:26)  “And if I die, yet in my flesh – glorified risen body – I will see God. (see Job 19:26)
• A person who has been hurt, perhaps traumatized, in church? “I will restore to you the years the locust has eaten.”  (Joel 2:25)
• A person who feels so ashamed of who they are. “There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
• A person who feels alienated or distant from God?  “Therefore since we have been justified by faith we have peace with God.” (Romans 5:1)  God is not at war with us!
• A person feeling oppressed, harassed, tormented by the kingdom of darkness? “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11)
• A person feeling exhausted from trying to live right, to do religious behaviors? “Come to me, all you who are weary and tired, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Remember what the angel said: “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.”

May your heart be filled with good news this Christmas day!

Your Turn: What is good news for you this Christmas day?  Leave a comment below.

Want more? I share these thoughts in a Christmas medication podcast episode. Listen or watch.

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• On the first Christmas the angel declared, “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.” What is good news for YOU this Christmas?  Tweet that.