Need Some Good News?
December 24, 2020 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments
Posted in: Pastoral Encouragement
This has been quite the year for shocking and discouraging news headlines. Much like other historic, national events (e.g. Kennedy’s assassination, the moon landing, 9-11), most people were glued to news outlets in the middle of March. The disheartening headlines did not stop there. All year long we have been bombarded with news of how the depravity of mankind continues to wreak havoc in our land. Perhaps we have begun to feel that there never has been a darker period of history.
Consider, however, these potential headlines for real, historic events from the first century BC:
- Wannabe King Bribes Triumphant General to Gain Political Power
- King Seeks Favor with Oppressed People by Rebuilding Temple
- Queen and Her Mother Executed by King
- King Cuts Taxes for Populace Displeased with His Greco-Roman Cultural Splurges
- Crisis in the Palace! Who Will Succeed the King?
- King’s Heirs Outraged that Their Father Executed Their Mother; New Heir Named
- King’s Sons in Favor with Father Again, Named Co-Heirs
- King’s Sons Found Guilty of Treason, Executed by Own Father
- New Heir to Throne Attempts to Poison the King
- Youngest Son with Least Experience Named Heir
- Religious Astrologers from the East Stir Up Trouble in Jerusalem, Looking for Newborn King
- In Manic Fit to Protect His Throne, King Has Dozens of Infant Boys Executed
- Ailing King Dies at Jericho, Confusion Over Transition
All of these speak about true events surrounding King Herod over a 25-year period (30-4 BC). Talk about a dark and tumultuous time for the land of Judah! Can you imagine how the modern news cycle would cover these events (if their lives were not threatened)? I believe this is part of the fulfillment of Isaiah 8:22, “And they will be thrust into thick darkness.”
It is in the midst of these dark, discouraging days that the angel appeared to some shepherds near Bethlehem to announce, “Fear not, for behold, 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” (Lk. 2:10-11). That is life-changing, world changing news!
The same remains true today. The “thick darkness” the world is thrust into is the result of the pervasiveness of the corruption of sin. The headlines continue to be disheartening. In the midst of this darkness, the same message of hope, deliverance, and life is declared to us. The angel said his “good news” was for “all the people,” including you and me in the 21st century. A Savior has been born unto us, who is Christ the Lord. A Savior who is the only one and way to overcome the guilt and corruption of sin. A Christ (i.e., Messiah or King) who is the only one who will bring about true justice and peace in the world. A Lord who is the only master over all things. That is Good News!
Let’s rejoice in the Good News that “to us a child is born, to us a son is given”!
Merry Christmas!
