Why Christmas is 'Good News'

Dr. Thamsing Lamkang *

Christmas themed Traffic Points of Aizawl, Mizoram on 23 December 2011 :: Pix by Nongamba Ningthemcha

Christmas is 'Good News' because it gives 'Hope of Eternal Salvation'. 'Good News' simply means 'Gospel'. The word 'Gospel' means 'Good Tidings' or 'Bringer of Good Tidings'. The other important Good News is 'the Resurrection of Jesus' and that is the 'Foundation of Christian Faith'.

"Jesus was born, men was born. Jesus died, men too died. Jesus had risen from the death, while men can't live again". But we've the hope to live again by believing in the resurrected Christ, who overcomes death to life. And that's where our preaching is all about the Good News.

THE REASONS FOR Good News (Luke 2:10-14)

• It is 'Good News' because it 'BANISHES FEAR'. The angel said to shepherds 'fear not'. Before Jesus the fear of what happens after death, but Jesus gave us hope when He resurrected.

• It is 'Good News' because it brings 'GREAT JOY'. Fear is the greatest enemy of joy!

• It is 'Good News' because it is for 'ALL PEOPLE', and the desires of all nations Haggai 2:7. There is no class of people, but all have equal rights in Jesus.

• It is 'Good News' because it emphasizes 'HUMAN VALUES'. Gospel is for 'All People', yet it is 'Unto you'. "For what profit is it to man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul" Matt.16:26.

• It is 'Good News' because it 'SAVE SINNERS'. The Savior came to redeem men by the 'New Covenant' 1 Tim.1:14.

• It is 'Good News' because it 'GLORIFIES GOD'. Glory to God in the highest!

• It is 'Good News' because it gives 'REAL & LASTING PEACE' Luke 2:14. Let the peace of God be with men so that men can bring peace. Today, many religious people, and the religion itself claim themselves god, sent from God, or know the way to God. They even perform wonders and amaze the confuse world. But none of these (gods) have the answer of life beyond death' but 'Jesus alone did'. The Bible says, 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only son Jesus Christ. Whosoever believes in Him will not parish but have Everlasting Life' John 3:16. Jesus said I am the way the truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me' John 14:6.

There are so many type of Good News in life that comes in different way. Sometimes, we have no patience to tell others especially, to our near and dear ones. We normally cannot keep the GN within ourselves. There is such an excitement to tell as many people as we can. And we are more joyful then the people who heard from us. So, "The ultimate goal of Christmas can be fulfill only when you tell theGood Newsto others".

But why is it so difficult to tell others even after we know and discovered the truth about Jesus and His birth? It is difficult because 'it is about God's truth and the life'. Satan work 24 hours to hinder men to tell about the 'Son of God'. You'll be easily distracted, ashamed and discourage to talk about it. You can discover yourself through the passion in telling others, but if you can't tell you're yet to know about God's truth, and it's a simple truth. "If you cannot tell others about Christ, then, tell Christ about others and soon you'll tell others about Christ."

So, many should realize why you can not tell the Good News of Jesus is because you haven't receive it yet. How can you give to others what you don't have it for yourself first? You'll be willing to tell to others only when you received it and experienced its truth.

THE Good News OF MEN

The dream of every Greeks was to destroy the Persians during 400-500 BC. And the dreams of every Greeks become a reality when they defeated the Persians in the historic war finished at Marathon Town.

The 'Marathon Race' we know is the foot race of 42.2 kms. Marathon was a town in Ancient Greece. In 490 BC, Greek won a war against the Persians. A soldier named Pheidippides ran 40.0 kms from a Marathon Town to Athens, to give the 'Good News of great victory". Unfortunately, Pheidippides collapsed and died soon after he had passed the Good News to the people of Greeks. Greeks are happy and joyful to hear their enemy defeated. There was celebration everywhere. Since then, the Marathon went down in history as a test of physical strength, endurance and courage.

The British Royal family gave birth to a son Prince William in the early 80s. It was Good News for the Royal family, the British people and the Commonwealth Countries. When my sis-in-law gave birth to my niece, Glorina, all family members were thrilled with joy. It was a happy moment for all of us. She was the first grand child in our Dilbung's family. The Good News was spread to our dear ones.

Good News FOR THE WHOLE WORLD

The birth of Jesus is 'Good News' for the whole world. It is Good News according to the four Gospels, portraying Jesus with different names, while the message is all the same. In 'Matthew as the King'; in 'Mark as the Perfect Servant'; in 'Luke as the Son of Man'; but we must not forget that 'Jesus' was the 'Son of God in John'.

Christ came for 'ALL PEOPLE' not for Christians alone, yet, 'UNTO YOU'! He came to save the world and to save you. Every single soul is valuable. I bring you 'Good News' of 'Great Joy' that will be for 'All People' Luke 2:10-11. We need to celebrate Christmas. Jesus' birth was — and is — Good News of great joy. And it's for everybody, whether someone is Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Mormon, Hindu, Buddist, Baptist, or nothing in particular.

It's Good News of great joy for all people because God says, "I love you, I'm with you, and I'm for you." If you tell others about the 'Good News of His birth', it will be incomplete without the 'Good News of His Resurrection', because the 'Power and Hope of our Eternal Life' is in the resurrection. Jesus is very much alive now and He can bring change. 'God expects you to be faithful to His call and tell others' Mark 16:14-16.

As a believer you must obey the commission of Jesus to proclaim the Good News to others, and God will do His part to bring change in their hearts. Have you done your part? "If you can't tell to others about Jesus then, tell Jesus about others, and soon you'll tell others about the Good News of Jesus". I urged all readers to spread the GN to all others.

I wish the readers (you) a Joyous and a blessed Merry Christmas. God bless you!

(Extracted from WHY CHRISTMAS? – Author by Dr. Lamkanf)