I was reading through the story of the Nativity in Luke 2 recently, and I was struck by these verses as the angel speaks to the shepherds:
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.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)
Even though Jesus Christ was born in Israel at a specific time in history, I love that the angel says that the good tidings are not just for Israel, but for ALL people. EVERYONE has reason to rejoice, whether they believe or not, because Christ overcame death, and all will benefit from the gift of the resurrection.
Everyone gets to decide what they do with this gift of resurrection, what they want to spend their life in eternity on. Christ helps those who want to use that gift for the greatest purpose. That takes preparation and progression and change, and we can’t do it without His help.
Everyone has reason to rejoice, whether they were born thousands of years before Christ, or thousands of years after.
With Christ, carnality and decay can’t win.
With Christ, this life is not the end.
With Christ, this life has meaning, even in struggle and pain.
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