Devotional:Tidings of Joy: Luke 2:8-11
- jlmyles
- Dec 20, 2020
- 2 min read
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Lk. 2:10, KJV).
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people” (Lk. 2:10, NASB).
On December 11, 2020 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for a vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This allows the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S. The announcement of this good news brings hope for the possibility of controlling and elimination of a virus that has caused the death of thousands of people worldwide.
Some 2000 years ago there are shepherds watching over their flock by night. The scriptures do not tell us what was on their minds. The scriptures tell us nothing about their conversation. Regardless, suddenly, they see something that causes them great fear. They do not know what it is that they see, and they have no idea of what this happening means.
The angel (messenger) makes known the reason for this great sight. There is great news. I want to announce to you good news (tidings) that will bring great joy. This news is to be available to all people; no exceptions. The long awaited Messiah is born in an unusual place, but the city of David (Bethlehem) has been foretold by the prophets.
The announcement of Jesus’ birth is good news to all people regardless of the circumstances that people find themselves facing. You see, this is not an announcement that everything in the world is going to be made better. Life continues to move on and the world keeps on turning. The angel does not announce a changing of situations in the world and cease to our unpleasant circumstances. The Savior is come into the world to be the Lamb of God that takes away our sins and making us righteous so that we are reconciled to God. Those reconciled to God have eternal life. This is the announcement of great news that brings joy to all people.
Prayer: Father, we rejoice in the good news that our savior is come. Amen