Devotions this week based on the Message: “Believe the GOOD NEWS of Christmas!”
“This isn’t supposed to happen…
…especially at Christmas.”
For unknown reasons, the Lord allowed a devastating tornado to roll through the mid section of our country the end of last week. In an interview with one of the business owners of a factory making candles, the reporter expressed condolences for eight lives that were lost during that storm. “It’s supposed to be a season of joy and hope. This is especially hard at Christmas.”
It is. And our hearts and prayers are with the people whose lives are disrupted by this storm (A way to help is to contribute to WELS Christian Aid and Relief https://wels.net/serving-others/christian-aid-relief/)
Anytime news like this or similar experience of loss of life or property, it is hard to watch and hear about and certainly hard to experience first hand. However, when these things happen around Christmas, it has a heightened sense of bad news.
No one likes bad news around Christmas.
Even our culture knows that Christmas is supposed to be good news! We “expect” good things around Christmas…visits with family, bonuses at work, or special gifts and memories. It’s these things and others which makes Christmas time good!
Or do they?
On an earthly, secular level they do. However, any earthly good news can quickly turn bad. Bonus the end of this year…jobless at the end of next. Great memories with family this year…loved ones missing due to death next year. A favorite present received this year…only to be lost or stolen next year.
Good news can quickly turn into bad news when the good news we are focusing on is simply things we have or experience on this earth.
That’s why we need to believe the good news of Christmas and understand why it is so good.
The good news of Christmas is so good because the good news of Christmas is based in Jesus, not anything earthly.
Not a surprise, right? You expected me to write that. It’s what the angels said to the shepherds, “10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)
What was that good news? “11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
As we did on Sunday, this week’s devotions are intended to reflect again why the good news of Christmas is so good and what makes it so good.
Because no matter what happens around Christmas, God always wants us to have the good news of the angels…even when “bad news” enters our life around Christmas, we can still have peace, joy and hope knowing the good news of Christmas rests in Jesus, not life’s circumstances.
Apply: How could you help someone who has had bad news at Christmas…this year or in years past?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming at Christmas to always make the day and season about good news! AMEN.