Good news of great joy for all people

Christmas Eve 2023

I don’t know if you’ve seen the photo of three young children, so cute, each holding a letter of the word JOY. But in the picture, they are all three kids crying, they’re extremely unhappy! Christmas is supposed to be joy, a gift God has given. Sometimes on the inside, we look more like those kids. What is the joy of Christmas?

The first Christmas was not classy. God showed up in a less than impressive setting, in a very common town. There was nothing special about Joseph and Mary. They weren’t famous. When a baby is born it’s so exciting! But so many other babies were born that same day. His birth was a common occurrence. Jesus came as a baby. Fully God and fully human. Looking like an ordinary baby.

Most of the world went on, it was just another day. There was no interruption of people’s lives. Because most people didn’t know that a Savior was born.

In those days there was a census, to make sure Rome got all the taxes they could get. We have taxes too. So many people were registering for the census, there was nowhere to stay.

A few people were in on Jesus birth: the Shepherds. An angel told them.

God shows up in Jesus: fully God, but a baby. It’s amazing! God decides I am going to be a vulnerable baby, and trust human parents to take care of me. That’s a huge responsibility. The Christmas story tells us that God stepped into my story, and into your story. You maybe don’t feel special, unique, worthy. but God wants to step into your story. Some of you think there’s no way God will show up in your story, because I’m not doing anything special.

That’s how the shepherds felt. At first, they were terrified of the angel. But the angel said, don’t be afraid. I bring you good news, of great joy for all the people. A Savior been born. This is the sign; you will find him wrapped in cloths and laying in a manger. Before the angel showed up, the shepherds didn’t feel like they were anything special. But the angel of the Lord came to them anyway. They felt so much joy as they met the baby Jesus.

The Christmas story tells us God loves us, is near to us, and is for us! It’s good news. Good news of great joy for all people! When I hear good news, I hope it’s true. Like if I hear that processed sugar is good for you, that’s good news I hope is true! Especially at Christmas when there’s so many sweets! When Jesus was grown, he started teaching and healing and people flocked to him. He brought good news. He forgave people. One day he was teaching in a house. The ceiling above him started to move. Four friends had brought a guy who couldn’t walk. They cut a hole in the roof and lowered him down. Jesus said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” The guy who couldn’t walk said, “that’s not what I came here for.” Too late, he’s already forgiven! Jesus forgave and healed him so he could walk. Sometimes we are very aware of our sin and wish we could go back in time and not sin. We can’t. We don’t have to. Jesus forgives. Powerful. Such relief.

It was good news! That Jesus forgave. That he loved people. Jesus came for sinners. People changed after meeting him. There was a tax collector who cheated people. Jesus saw him and said, “I’m going to your house for dinner.” Zaccheus so happy Jesus that spent time with him, that he changed. He said, “If I have cheated someone, I’ll pay them back four times than I owe, and I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor!” Jesus said, “Salvation has come to this house today!”

Jesus told people to love others, forgive others, help others, put other people first. The good news was not just, “believe.” It was not just about the afterlife. Jesus taught us how to have joy now: be the good news. Love and be kind, and you will have joy!

This good news of great joy was for ALL the people. We live in a time when people are divided against each other. If it’s good news for some people, it’s bad news for others. And vice versa. But it’s different with Jesus’ version of good news. It’s not my version of good news or your version of good news. If our version is not good for all people, it’s not good news! Jesus brought good news for Jew and Gentile, Roman and Samaritan, Man and Woman, Rich and Poor, young and old. Jesus good news was for everybody. No matter who you are, Jesus is for you.

My challenge for you is first, if you haven’t, to acknowledge Jesus as you Savior. Follow him, for that’s the path to great joy. Jesus gives life, life that means something.

If you are a follower, Jesus calls you to be the good news. Apologize quickly, forgive, put others first, sacrifice for others. Be the good news. The world needs the goodness of God to shine through you. May your life point to God. Let your light shine. Amen.