One dark night, in a lonely field, shepherds were minding their sheep. Suddenly there
was a great light – and they were afraid. The angels spoke to them, saying, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
My friends, as I write to you today, I want to say: Jesus lives and that is Good News bringing great joy.
Like you, I have read this passage many times. Yet as I write to you today, I am struck by the phrase: “They were afraid.” Of course they were! Suddenly, in the middle of the night, a brilliant light appears. The heavens look like they are opening and someone appears to talk to them. It would be terrifying.
But what I am struck with is the thought of “fear.”
You see, many people today are afraid. In Eastern Europe, incredible poverty and political instability cause much fear. Without the Good News of Jesus, people have little to hope for. Yet years of communist rule have stripped Christian influence. People are longing for hope.
In regions of Africa, deep poverty and tribal wars are the root of great fear. I can’t imagine the fear that pounds in the heart of a mother who is running to find refuge for her children. Nor can I imagine the desperate fear of watching your sick child fade into the night. The people of Africa are searching for hope.
In the Middle East, violence and bloodshed threaten ordinary people in their daily lives. Politics, racism and injustice threaten peace – and the ordinary person lives in fear. The hope of Jesus Christ is truly Good News.
There are so many regions, worldwide, where people are afraid. Even here at home.
While we cannot buy hope, we can work together to bring the message of Jesus Christ into homes this Christmas.
Here is “a catalogue of options” that features gifts that help bring the Good News to people – cutting through their fears and giving them great joy! This is the perfect time to give a special gift to meet a great need. At Christmas, more than ever, we need to reach people who are lost and afraid.
In Ephesians, Paul writes: …no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
You see, the Good News gives great joy… even in times of persecution, desperation and fear. When Paul writes the Philippians, he encourages them in their suffering by writing: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice… the Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This is GOOD NEWS!
I urge you to give a special year-end gift to bring great joy this Christmas! More than anything else, your gift will help us present the message of eternal life through Jesus Christ to people in desperate need of hope.
In Christ,
Denys Blackmore
Executive Director
P.S. We have hope in Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Yet so many have yet to hear the Good News. I ask you to consider a gift of hope this Christmas.