Listen

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of a messenger who proclaims peace, who brings good news, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God rules!”

Listen! Your lookouts lift their voice; they sing out together! Right before their eyes they see the Lord returning to Zion.

Isaiah 52:7-8

Think

When was the last time you received good news? How did it make you feel? Maybe it was something small. Or maybe it was something life-changing. Getting good news feels good. It’s fun and exciting. And sometimes that news is so good that it changes your life.

The gospels tell us the story of Jesus, and in fact the Greek word for “gospel” even means “good news.” These “good news” stories of Jesus’ birth, life, and death begin with a messenger bringing peace and good news. The angel Gabriel appears to Mary and shares with her the greatest news of all: that she would give birth to the Savior of the world. Talk about life-changing news!

The best news any of us can ever receive is that Christ was born, lived, and died for each one of us, and that is news that is meant to be shared. Today’s text encourages us to “lift up” our voices and share the good news with joy that our God reigns, that God is with all of us!

Ryan Wilson

Pray

God who reigns and is with us all, may I be a messenger who, on beautiful feet, shares your good news. In this season of love, hope, peace, and joy, may the life I live and the message I share help tell your story. Amen.

Go

Christmas highlights the belief that God is in all of us. We can ignore that, or we can help God be found in all of us. God is active through each of us for each other.

from Sacred Space: The Prayer Book 2012, The Irish Jesuits