And there were shepherds living out in the

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. - Luke 2: 8 -9 (ESV)

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. ” - Luke 2: 10 -11 (ESV)

“Euangelion” “Fear not, for behold I bring you the gospel of great joy that will be for all people” (Luke 2: 10)

In the Roman world, “The Gospel” was the good news of the arrival of a king who would bring a new era of peace and prosperity.

The Priene Calendar Inscription, 9 BC “Providence. . . has set our lives in the most perfect order by giving us Augustus. . . that he might benefit humankind, sending him as a savior. . . that he might end war and arrange all things, since by his birth. . . the beginning of the gospel for the world has come”

In the Jewish world, “The Gospel” was the good news that the Messiah would come and bring eternal peace and prosperity by defeating all of their enemies who oppressed and ruled over them.

“Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!’ Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might. . . He will tend his flock like a shepherd” - Isaiah 40: 9 (ESV)

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”. . . When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. ” - Isaiah 52: 7 -8 (ESV)

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. ” - Luke 2: 10 -11 (ESV)

The Gospel is not an announcement of Good Advice It’s good news of what has already happened and been done for anyone who believes!

The Gospel is not an announcement of Good Advice but rather of a Good Adoption It’s the good news that you are given a new life, identity & peace by The King!

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. . . So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. - Ephesians 1: 5, 7 (NLT)

The Gospel is not an announment of “Good Circumstances” It’s good news that Jesus, The King, gives His followers something that is more powerful than circumstances.

“the people wondered concerning John, whether he might be the Christ. He answered them, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he [the Christ] who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. . . - Luke 3: 15 -16 (ESV)

“Jesus of Nazareth went to his death believing that this gruesome circumstance would be the ultimate Good News moment. The Cross was the climax and tipping point of the Gospel for all humanity. . . - Theologian NT Wright

. . . As the early Christians looked back with the hindsight of resurrection, they came to see Jesus’ crucifixion not as a defeat, but as the ultimate victory. There, Jesus gave His undefeated and undefiled Spirit to the Father to pour out onto, us! And now, nothing can ever conquer us again. ” - Theologian NT Wright

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead [the worst circumstance of all] dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. ” - Romans 8: 11 (ESV)

Christmas is the Gospel of a new King who will give the greatest gifts. Its not good advice or a promise of good circumstances. It’s the promise of king who forgives, frees you in His family, and fills you with His Spirit for eternal peace & blessing.

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. ” - Acts 2: 38 -39 (ESV)

Dear King Jesus, today I repent and believe the good news of your kingdom. That you have already died for me and been raised again so that I may be forgiven, freed in Your family, and filled with your spirit that is greater than any of my circumstances. I repent of my old beliefs and surrender all I am to you. I ask for the gift of your Holy Spirit in me today.