I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The angel sent from heaven down to earth is preaching the Good News of the Gospel. Good News of great joy is all about Jesus for you, the sinner. Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. (Romans 5)
Good News of great joy. Jesus saves. Jesus rescuing you from your sins. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1)
Jesus has come to tabernacle with sinners. No longer are you alone. No longer is life an aimless wandering. No longer do you need to fear death. Why? Good News of Great joy. Jesus is born of the Virgin Mary. God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3)
Jesus comes with reconciliation. To bring you back to God. (We were) by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Ephesians 2) Jesus comes to take the wrath of God due sinners. Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. (2 Corinthians 5)
“Jesus has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins from death, and power of the devil....with His holy precious blood and innocent suffering and death.” Jesus came from heaven down to earth out of His love for you. Good News of great joy. The baby born of the Virgin will not stay in the manger. Jesus’ destination is the Cross of Calvary – to hang from the tree all your sins. Good News. (Jesus) was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed....and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53)
After the Angel preaches the Good News to lowly Shepherds, Heaven breaks wide open. The Angelic choir gathers to sing the Good News. A multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2)
God the Father is glorified in the work of His Son. God is glorified as sinners are brought to faith in Jesus. God is glorified in Jesus Crucified and Risen for the life of the world. Jesus’ saving work brings sinners peace – peace with God. “Peace be with you. A s the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. He breathed on them “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. (John 20) Peace be with you.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Christ the Lord gives you peace that surpasses all understanding. We have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body... Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Col. 3) Christmas peace is a miracle through the redemptive preaching of Christ the Lord born for you. The baptized Children of God have Christmas peace. Peace in your life. Peace in our families. Peace in our Church. Peace in our world. Through the forgiveness of sins. Peace be with you. Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Col. 3)
Merry Christmas. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.