The Message of the Christmas Angels

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:10-14).

The thrilling announcement of the angel of the Lord to these humble shepherds prompted their inquiry into the birth of the Savior. It involves…

1. A GREAT PROGRAM – “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (v. 10)

God’s program was to see that such Good News was given to men who were in spiritual poverty. That program has not changed. Jesus Himself “went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him” (Luke 8:1). The preaching of the glad tidings of the Gospel continues to this day, and we have the privilege of sharing that good news with a lost and dying world.

2. A GREAT PURPOSE – “For unto you is born…a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (v.11)

God’s purpose was to send a Savior into a world without the ability to save itself. Sin is the root of man’s problems. It was Jesus Christ Who stepped into history to be our Savior! As the apostle John tells us, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (I John 4:14). Of course, this does not mean that the entire world will be saved. To be saved, one must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Acts 16:31).

3. A GREAT PEACE – “on earth peace, good will toward men” (v. 14)

The world continues on a quest for peace. We live in a wicked, sinful world. We live in a Satan-dominated world, and therefore there is no peace. “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22). However, if you have come to Jesus Christ and received Him as your Savior, you can know the peace of God (Romans 5:1). When Christ came the first time, this is the kind of peace He brought. At His second coming He will come as the Prince of Peace; at that time He will put down unrighteousness and rebellion in the world, and establish peace on this earth. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Hope for the peace man so greatly longs for.

Christmas is coming! Are you ready for it? Most all of us struggle through the rush of the season. God’s greatest Gift has already arrived. Take time to enjoy Him. Take time to tell others about Him. God has given to us the privilege of bringing the message of glad tidings to a lost world. Praise His Name!