Good News for All People
Luke’s telling of the birth of Jesus grounds the greatest miracle in history in the realities of everyday life. A government census, a long journey, a crowded town—these details remind us that God enters the world not apart from human systems and struggles, but right in the middle of them.
The holiday season is always such a stressful time for me. I create a lot of that stress on my own, but still, it can be stressful. I am busy at work, our son is busy at school and in sports, my husband is busy with work always but does an amazing job of stepping up to help me in whatever I need. I just have to ask and that’s where I sometimes fall short. However, this first passage, about the birth of Jesus reminds me to stop and take in the season instead of just rushing through it. The world will always remain crazy, we will always have struggles, busy seasons come and go, but our faith in Jesus remains constant.
Jesus is born in humility. There is no guest room, no celebration fit for a king—only a manger. Yet this is precisely how God chooses to come near. The Savior arrives not in power and prestige, but in vulnerability, identifying fully with humanity from His very first moments.
I love this section of the passage. It tells me not everything has to be perfect, which is something I struggle with. Jesus was born in a manger, in a stable, with no room at the Inn. I cannot even comprehend delivering my child outside in a stable with animals nearby. My son’s birth was not perfect, but he was and still is in my eyes. We celebrate the Christmas season with Jesus being the reason for the season. We do not have to spend all the money on gifts for everyone on our list, not everything has to be decorated to a “T”, we do not have to go to all the things that leave us run ragged and irritable at the end of the day. Keeping the season simple, yet meaningful is important to our family.
The angelic announcement is given not to rulers or religious leaders, but to shepherds—ordinary workers, awake in the fields. To them comes the message we still cling to today: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” The gospel is, and always has been, good news for everyone.
During this busy season if we all could stop, look up and around, and maybe listen more than speak, we may feel a little lighter, listen a little stronger, and be able to share the news of Jesus’s birth with others we encounter. It is important for us to remember that this good news isn’t to be kept, it’s to be spread around for anyone and all! Many of the children at church will put on a special Christmas Nativity play coming up that will depict Jesus’s birth. I love that the children will be able to share the good news of Jesus’s birth to the community. I cannot wait to see them all perform; it will be a treat for everyone!
The shepherds respond with faith and obedience. They go to Bethlehem, they see for themselves, and they leave changed—glorifying God and sharing what they have witnessed. Mary, meanwhile, receives it all quietly, treasuring and pondering these things in her heart. Together, these responses show us what faithful discipleship can look like: active witness and deep reflection.
As we continue through this Advent season, awaiting the birth of Jesus, it is my prayer people can slow down, appreciate family and traditions, and remember the reason for the season. Our family keeps traditions simple and meaningful. We do not keep a mile long list of things we “have to do” in December. Our son is seven and Christmas is a magical time for him. While he loves to talk about Santa and all that comes with that, he knows we are counting the days to Jesus’s birth, with a visit from Santa on the side. We enjoy going as a family to look at Christmas lights, attending the town’s Christmas tree lighting, dropping off Santa’s letter at the Santa mailbox, attending the church Advent services, putting cookies out for Santa and carrots for the reindeer and cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. We will have the time this year to attend Christmas Eve service, and I cannot wait for him to experience one of my favorite traditions. I remember several years of Christmas Eve services wondering if I would ever have a child to share it with. God’s timing is always the best time. My favorite part of Christmas always is seeing everything through our son’s eyes. I can only imagine the joy Mary felt on that special night!
As a church, Luke 2:1–20 invites us to remember where God’s glory is often found—in humble places, among ordinary people, and in quiet faithfulness. May we, like the shepherds, go and tell the good news, and like Mary, make room in our hearts to treasure what God is doing among us.
Dear God,
Thank you for all the fun and excitement of Christmas.
Thank you for the amazing nativity story,
that tells us about the birth of Jesus.
Thank you for sending us your Son,
a gift from you into this world.
As we look at the lights on the tree,
remind us of the light Jesus brought to this Earth.
When we sing songs and carols,
remind us of the hope Jesus showed everyone.
And as we open the gifts and presents,
remind us that Jesus was the best gift ever.
Help us to share special times with family and friends this Christmas,
And to share the light, hope and gift of Jesus to the world.
Amen.
(prayer from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
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