Christmas - News of Great Joy

By TOM DENNEHY

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you news of great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest Heaven and on Earth peace to those on whom His favour rests.’ Luke 2. 8-14.

So it was that the shepherds were the first to hear about the birth of Jesus. They had no standing in the community and were looked down on by everyone. Yet it was to these shepherds that the angels appeared. It was these shepherds that God chose to receive the first invitation to meet with the newborn Messiah. It was these shepherds that set a beautiful example of faith that can inspire us today.

At first, the shepherds may seem like a strange choice, but if God had gone to Caesar or Herod or anyone else in power, they would have tried to turn this miraculous event to their advantage. The shepherds? They had absolutely nothing to gain, and certainly nothing to lose. They were empty vessels, waiting to be filled to overflowing with God’s joy. They were proof that God’s message is for everyone, from the highest to the lowest, from the faithful churchgoer to the seeker

to the skeptic. God’s word is for everyone. With God, everyone is loved equally and unconditionally.

When the angels had left them and went back to Heaven, the shepherds said to one another , “Let us go as far as Bethlehem and see what the Lord has made known to us.” So they came hurriedly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger . On seeing Him, they related what they had been told about the child; and all were astonished on hearing the shepherds. Luke 2;15-18.

The shepherds were alone in the fields, they were not distracted, they were not worrying about finishing their Christmas shopping or finalising travel plans. So when God called them they were attentive and responsive. They listened. Are we listening this Christmas season to what God is calling us to do?

After the Christmas season we too will return to our “fields and flocks,” our normal routines and responsibilities. But we are not the same people we were before. Christ has come. God is with us. Therefore let us go forth humbly as the shepherds did, forever changed , transformed by the experience of Christmas, praising and glorifying God and letting people know about the good news of Christ by the way we live our lives.

“When they saw this they made known what had been told them about the child. The shepherds

returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.”

The question is how will we respond to the message of Jesus born amongst us as a little baby on Christmas morning. Will we go like the shepherds and share the good news to everyone we meet? Our world was never in more need of good news. Can we respond to a well known Christmas song? “Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.”

Let us hope that the sound of that beautiful Christmas song, Silent Night, can reverberate over the war torn areas at Christmas. As the Germans and the British forces put down their arms and sang songs in the dark and muddy trenches on the western front on Christmas Eve 1914, let us hope that those parts of the world at war will lay down their arms and welcome the Prince of Peace.

Medjugorje Message 25th December 2023.

“Dear Children; Today I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, that you may be His peace and a reflection of the clarity and joy of Heaven. Pray , little children, be open to receive peace because many hearts are closed to the call of the light which changes hearts. I am with you and am praying for you to open yourselves to receive the King of peace, who fills your hearts with warmth and blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

May the Prince of Joy and Peace fill your hearts this Christmas.