Good News. Great Joy. All People

We, at Brighton Road, pray that each person joining with us in person or online will have a joy filled Christmas – just as the Christmas Angel declared: “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10).
 
The Angel announced good news into a world which is accustomed to bad news. Our horrible headlines need to be interrupted by the gospel (which means “good news”). And that good news is that God has acted - God has come near - God has stepped into the mess. And He does so with the cry of a newborn. Good news can come in small packages.
 
And this news would result in great joy. Not little joy or polite joy. The arrival of Jesus is joy strong enough to startle shepherds, shake societies, and steady the stumbling. C.S. Lewis described joy as “the serious business of heaven.” Christmas is God’s announcement that it’s not going to be business as usual in this dark and desperate broken world – there is a new business in town!
 
And this joy was not reserved for the religious or set aside for the scholars but was for all people - from stinky shepherds to foreign dignitaries, from despotic rulers to those oppressed and needing consolation. Therefore, this is joy also for YOU. Like the lost sheep, you may have wandered, grown weary, been wounded, or simply not known which way to turn. Jesus said that He “came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10). The joy of Jesus is wide enough for all and welcoming enough for anyone who will place their faith in Him.
 
This Christmas, if you are coming to Brighton Road curious, cautious, sceptical, hopeful, or just here for the mince pies: God’s good news is for you - Great joy is for you - The Saviour has come for you - and for all people. Even us. Even now.
Revd Michael Hogg