Trinity Lutheran Church - Town of Wilson

Good News of Great Joy

Posted by on 6 December 2011 | 0 Comments

Have you noticed how much things have changed?  No matter how old we are, we can look back in our lives and see the many changes that have taken place throughout the years.

During our recent “Time With Pastor” meetings, one of the changes that people commented on was the fact of how our church buildings are not as full as they used to be.  The question “Where are the people?” was asked more than once.  And following that question, it was noted that without all our members, without more members and people, how can we be talking about an addition or a new building?

One of the changes that I often think about is how attendance at Christmas services has changed.  No matter what church building a person would go into, it seemed as though everyone was there on Christmas.  Many times it meant setting up chairs in the aisles or perhaps having people stand during the service.  Today the scene is far different.

Today is also different from that first Christmas as well.  Listen to a couple portions from Luke’s account of the Christmas story …

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” … When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."  And they went with haste …

Luke 2:10-11, 15-16

They went with haste to see what had happened.  On Christmas this year, will we join them and go with haste to hear the message of salvation – unto you is born … a Savior?  That is the best Christmas present ever – and it is free.

It is a shame – and even sad – that mostly (if things are the way they have been in the past) our church buildings and countless others like them will not be full to hear the good news of great joy for all people.  At the same time, Lambeau Field (and others like it), will be full.  Countless people will willingly spend thousands of dollars for fleeting joy rather than the good news of great joy – the joy the angels meant when the multitudes joined in praising God … "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"  Luke 2:14

My prayer is that when Christmas comes this year – we too go with haste to see and hear this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.  How blessed we are – for that Babe born in Bethlehem lived a perfect life.  Then He took our sins upon Himself, and in exchange gave us the gift of the eternal, abundant life earned for us by His suffering, death and resurrection.  And for that we can glorify and praise God for all we have heard and seen.

After coming and seeing, may we – like the shepherds that first Christmas – make known what we have had been told concerning this child.  What countless opportunities God has given us to reach out with that message – whether that be through the programs we have, or perhaps considering additions/new buildings to better spread that message in our respective congregations.  As we continue to work for the Lord, others will wonder at what we tell them.  And then may we, like Mary, treasure up all these things, pondering them in our hearts.

In Christ’s service,

Pastor Jabs