The Greatest News Story

Luke 2:8-14

(The Angel Chorus)

8That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, 10but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!”

13Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God:

14“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and peace on earth to all whom God favors.”

Psalm Link

Psalm 148:1-2

1Praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD from the heavens!

Praise him from the skies!

2Praise him, all his angels!

Praise him, all the armies of heaven!

Good news,” said the angel. It was a breaking news story, and God’s angelic network was well equipped to bring the story to remote areas like shepherds in a remote field.

Journalism professors teach that the best news stories have five characteristics: The news should be unusual (“man bites dog” better than “dog bites man”), vital (who cares about whether you jogged yesterday?), prominent (if the president breaks a leg, it’s news), personal (if a new tax law affects most everyone, it’s big news), and timely (yesterday’s newspaper is only good for wrapping up fish).

The news the angels brought had all the characteristics of a sensational story. Was it unusual? Was it vital? Did it concern a prominent individual? Was it personal in that its impact affected most people? Was it timely? This was obviously front-page material. No wonder the shepherds ran to Bethlehem!

But notice one difference between most news stories today and this greatest of all news stories: It was good news. Today’s headlines tell of crime and war, of heartache and suffering. This news story tells of salvation, peace on earth, joy to all people.

On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring,

News of great joy, news of great mirth, news of a merciful Savior’s birth.

Then why should men on earth be sad, since our Redeemer made us glad,

When from our sin he set us free, all for to gain our liberty.

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH CAROL

Bible Networking

Christ promised peace to his disciples (John 14:27), but he also brought conflict (Matthew 10:34-36). See also James 4:4.

Notable Quotable

“Peace between man and God is an essential prerequisite to peace between man and his fellowman.”

CHARLES L. CHILDERS