Glad News, Good news, Christ is born

by Dr. George Jacob

The greatest wonder ever revealed in heaven or earth was the wonder recorded in the verses before us for consideration. In His sovereign good pleasure the God of heaven sent His angel, together with a multitude of heavenly host to proclaim,

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men."

"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," LUK 2:10-11.

Never before was such a joyful message proclaimed; never was such peace proclaimed; never was such overwhelming and soul's ravishing tidings brought to fallen man-that Jesus was born in Bethlehem's manger.

This eternal wonder was the fulfilling of the promise made to our first parents in the garden of Eden, and the answer to the prayers and longing desires of all God's dear children-including many righteous kings and prophets.

According to God's eternal decree and His adorable providence, the moment had come wherein the wonder of wonders should be revealed to the amazement of heaven and earth-God manifest in the flesh! The tidings of great joy were that, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness
and peace have kissed each other," in this God Man, PSA 85:10.

Rather than leave one sin unpunished our heavenly Father "...gave his only begotten Son..." to suffer, bleed and die, making "...peace through the blood of his cross," COL 1:20. This is the peace spoken of by the angel to the shepherds of Ephratah.

This peace between an offended God and a guilty sinner could only be obtained by God, "...who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ," not imputing our trespasses unto us. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him," 2CO 5:18-21.

Sin would be the only thing that could cause fear for such a heavenly host, so what were these good tidings? His name shall be called "JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins," MAT 1:21. "Fear not!" Oh, beloved, I would to God that we could say this to every one, but have you been saved from your sins? Has Jesus been born in your heart? Or do you still love sin?

Does your heart cry out with the Apostle Paul, in PHI 3:10, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death"? Do you long as Paul did, for that intimate relationship with Christ, desiring to be raised with Him unto that newness of life? Do you long to be made
conformable unto His death? "For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God," ROM 6:10.

If we can say with the apostle Paul, "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ," then we have nothing to fear, and we can take part in those good tidings with great joy.

Amen.

BEHOLD! The grace appears
The promise is fulfilled!
Mary, the wondrous virgin, bears,
And Jesus is the child.

The Lord, the highest God,
Calls him his only Son;
He bids him rule the lands abroad,
And gives him David's throne.

O'er Jacob shall he reign
With a peculiar sway;
The nations shall his grace obtain,
His kingdom ne'er decay.

To bring the glorious news
A heavenly form appears;
He tells the shepherds of their joys,
And banishes their fears.

"Go, humble swains," said he,
"To David's city fly,
The promised Infant born to-day
Does in a manger lie.

"With looks and hearts serene,
Go visit Christ, your King";
And straight a flaming troop was seen;
The shepherds heard them sing:

"Glory to God on high,
And heavenly peace on earth;
Good will to men, to angels joy,
At the Redeemer's birth!"

[In worship so divine
Let saints employ their tongues;
With the celestial host we join,
And loud repeat their songs:

"Glory to God on high,
And heavenly peace on earth;
Good will to men, to angels joy,
At the Redeemer's birth!"

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