Monday, April 20, 2015

Good Tidings

What are tidings anyway? Taken out of its context, the title seems a bit odd. We don't seem to do tidings anymore, good, glad, or otherwise. The definition is one we know from many readings of that passage in Luke 2, it is simply news or information. But in Luke 2, the angel brings good tidings of great joy. You might say that the angel brought the gospel. There's more to come! The angel also brought one of those great messages we need: Fear not. We need to hear that message of fear not or don't be afraid often, because we are so often afraid. Then there is the combination: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy..." Not only do we not fear, but we are to behold the good news that is to come. And, just in case a shepherd or two may have entertained thoughts that we frequently have in this age of mental distress, such as, "Oh that message must not be for me, I never get any good news!" The angel says the good tidings are for all people.

Unless you can somehow exclude yourself from the group of all people, you and I must accept that we have this good news to receive and rejoice over. Why then so much difficulty in the world? Anyone can of course fail to believe the message and the messenger. We always have that choice, and much evil follows that unbelief. The shepherds of long ago believed and thus we have that great message of Luke 2:10: "And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.' " How wonderful it is to receive good news on a Monday morning! The angel did not leave the shepherds at that though. The good news was not simply an announcement of good news but the news itself. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

And that is better news for a Monday!

Bucky

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