As you know, I have been utilizing various chapters in Robert J. Morgan’s book, One Hundred Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart, as my primary source material for this weekly “encouragement” section. In chapter 94 of Morgan’s book, he addresses the memorization of Luke 2:10: But the angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’ Morgan then goes on to explain the significance of not only this verse, but of the two verses that also follow it (Luke 2:11-12). Here is Morgan’s account.
Luke 2:10-12 is the Bible’s classic Christmas text, sung by angels choiring over Shepherds’ Field in Bethlehem: Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the City of David. This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a manger. Never was so great a message delivered in so few words. Notice how the message unrolls as you read the text.
1. This is liberating news. Don’t be afraid. The coming of Christ banishes fear from human hearts.
2. This is supernatural news. It was given by an angel from Heaven shouting, Look! I proclaim ...
3. This is personal news. I proclaim to you ...
4. This is good news. I proclaim to you good news ...
5. This is happy news. I proclaim to you good news of great joy ...
6. This is global news. ... that will be for all the people.
7. This is breaking news. Today ...
8. This is saving news. Today a Savior, who is Messiah ...
9. This is divine news. Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord.
10. This is baby news. Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you ...
11. This is royal news. ... born for you in the City of David.
12. This is accessible news. This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a manger.
Morgan continues:
From time to time I have had the joy of leading tours to the Holy Land, and one of my favorite spots is Shepherds’ Field outside Bethlehem. Since Bethlehem was encircled by fields on every side, we don’t know the exact location of the events of Luke 2; but the traditional spot is a rock-strewn field that is rather bowl-shaped, with sloping sides all around. The upper rim is dotted with ancient caves, where, according to tradition, the shepherds slept in shifts during the long, cold nights. It’s not hard to imagine caroling angels hovering over this field. Their message was a universal announcement to all history yet so very personal: I proclaim to you ... was born for you ... you will find a baby ... it was for you ... you ... you ... that He came, and for me. His name, Emmanuel, means “God with us”.
The martyred Lutheran pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, stated: “We cannot approach the manger of the Christ child in the same way we approach the cradle of another child. Rather, when we go to His manger, something happens, and we cannot leave it again unless we have been judged or redeemed.”
Morgan’s account ends there, but not the powerful truth of the Christmas narrative. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ rule in your hearts perhaps as never before this Christmas season. Soli Deo Gloria!
