Dear Christian friends:

The first Christmas, almost 2,000 years ago God sent His Angel to announce Good News to the shepherds who were abiding in the fields near Bethlehem keeping watch over their flocks during the night. What the angel announced to the shepherds is the greatest news anyone can hear:

"Fear not, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in David's town a Savior has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord."


The Christmas Good News is for all people. The angel said to the shepherds, "I bring you good news that will be for all people." That means you and me also.

What is the Christmas Good News? The angel said to the shepherds, "A Savior has been born to you." Exactly what we need! We are sinners. Therefore we are separated from God, enemies of God on the way to hell. We are helpless to make peace.

Nevertheless God still loves loves us and shows mercy to us. (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." We were born under the law. (Galatians 4:4-7) By His holy life and innocent death on the cross the Savior won forgiveness and therefore peace between us sinners and our holy God.

The Savior can do this because of who He is. The angel said to the shepherds, "Today in David's town a Savior has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord."

He is born in David's town, Bethlehem, and is therefore the Savior-Son God promised to David and to all. He is the "Christ" and He is the Lord. He is Mary's Son, David's Son and also God's Son. He is true God and true Man in one person.

We have gathered here tonight with our Christian brothers and sisters to give thanks to worship and adore our God and Savior with humble faith we go, same as the shepherds did, to Bethlehem to see and worship the Baby in the manger, David's Son, Christ the Lord.

And when we've finished our worship here we, the same as the shepherds, publish the angel's good news to others.

O God, help us believe! Help us to rejoice and tell about our joy, Your Good News to our family, friends and neighbors!

Amen.