Good News

The angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”

Even though I’d been expecting my children to arrive home from school at any moment, the sudden noise startled me. The heavy front door swung open, then quickly shuddered to a close with one hard push. As my daughter Noelle shed her coat and shoes in the mudroom, she called out, looking for me.

“Mom? Mom! I did it. I did it! I got into the conference!” she said, excitement in every word.

“Oh, that’s great!” I exclaimed, holding my arms open as she paused beside my chair for a welcome-home hug, smiling widely. She nodded in agreement, then chattered about who else was going and when the conference would take place.

A few weeks earlier, she’d painstakingly filled out the application and submitted a piece of writing in the hope of being one of the children chosen to participate. The day-long conference would feature artists and authors at a college about an hour away. Several elementary schools were participating in the event, which meant that only a small number of students would be chosen from each school.

As Noelle shared her good news, her excitement was contagious, and I couldn’t help but smile along with her.

A new job, a milestone, a graduation, an achievement we’ve been working toward—all of these are good news and deserve to be celebrated. Sharing our achievements with the people we love only increases the joy we experience in those moments.

But the truth is that you and I have good news too. In fact, we possess the very best news! Just like the angel who appeared to the shepherds when Jesus was born, we have a message that will bring great joy to others. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, our sins are forgiven, and we will live with him forever. Every day with Jesus is a “good news” day. When we recognize the privilege of knowing Jesus, we can reconsider our daily circumstances in light of the long scope of eternity. Friends, we have the hope of heaven! That is marvelously good news—news we should be bursting to share.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Thank God for the good news of Jesus and look for ways to tell it to others.