Luke 2:8-14 [1] “Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”
That’s why… That is why there is joy in the world….that one single, powerful message.
It is, in fact, the most powerful message this world has ever received. No small irony is that that this most powerful message was first heard by shepherds, the lowliest of the low for that time.
Many have tried to drown the significance of this event, and of this message in secular custom. Yet it survives, having outlasted nearly all such that were attached to it. Many have tried to deny the event ever happened. Yet it’s story still survives.
So powerful message is it, governments have tried to deny it, for fear of losing their hold on their subjects. So powerful is it, that people have been shunned, imprisoned, impoverished, and killed outright, all for the mere retelling of it. Cultures have tried to deny it. Individuals have tried to deny it… but so powerful a message is it, that despite all efforts to the contrary, it has been told and retold for 2000 years and more… and still does not lack for the retelling on this night, having lost none of it’s power.
The question is, what do you do with the message?