The Really Good Thing about Christmas

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased!”

- Luke 2:14 (NET Bible) 
Good News? The headlines are filled with almost everything but! Peace??? Where? 2010 has been a flurry of a year! How can anyone argue with that? 2000 years after Christ’s birth, we see wars, famines, etc. Where is God in the midst of suffering, violence, sickness, and death?

I’ve heard good questions like these, and to be honest, I don’t know if my answer would satisfy the person that has these questions, but I have an answer that satisfies me. It all has to do with the words of the angels in the Christmas story. There IS good news: God has extended peace to men. Despite our violent and deceitful ways, He wants a relationship. Where we’ve rejected Him and His ways, He’s ready to lay aside His right to judge us, even taking the punishment we deserve upon Himself. And more than that, He has promised to fix us up. Where we’ve made mistakes, He brings restoration. And when we’ve been fated to death, He promises eternal life.

So may this Christmas find you resting in His peace, restoration and life… extending throughout and beyond this upcoming New Year!
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

- Romans 8:28-29 (NET Bible)

copyright ©2010 Mitchell Malloy (http://mitchellmalloyblogspot.com//)

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