LUKE 2:10-11

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

TO PONDER

Often at this time of year we begin to get nostalgic. We look back at the year that was and begin reflecting on all the up's and down's.

Maybe as you do that for yourself you see a year with more up's than down's and in the grand scheme of things you are looking back on a year where it is easy to see God's blessings and fingerprints on the things that have been the 'big' moments of the year. Maybe for you, the year of 2025 is something that has brought you great joy and lots of good news.

However, whatever our personal situations might have been, a quick look back at the major news headlines from the year tell a bit of a different story. Wars, conflicts, political unrest, dissolving social cohesion, global inflation and economic uncertainty, natural disasters, global warming... it doesn't seem like there has been much good news around does it?

And yet, the birth of Jesus is a turning point in the story of humanity's relationship with its creator. The Word of God which spoke creation into being has come to make all things new. This is good news. It is both a present reality and also an ongoing work. For those whose trust is in Jesus, we are a new creation - the old is gone and the new is come. For those who do not yet recognise or know Jesus as Lord and Saviour, the work is still ongoing.

The birth of Jesus is good news to all humanity. It's good because God has come into our mess, into all of those things that we mentioned earlier and comes to restore and redeem them. He can use even the seemingly worst circumstances to draw people to himself, and that is the greatest gift anyone can have - an encounter with Jesus who has come to seek and save the lost.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank you that the good news of the birth of Jesus has become a reason fr joy and celebration in my life. As I celebrate Jesus' birth this Christmas with friends and family, help us to receive again the joy that come from your salvation and give us a willing spirit to share the good news with all who have ears to hear. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle