There is GOOD NEWS! Krikor’s Reflections – Dec ’12/Jan ’13

There is GOOD NEWS!

Recently, we have been hearing about the escalating conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians in Israel and the Gaza Strip. The attacks on both sides result in the killing of many civilians, including children. Similarly the conflict in Syria between the government and the opposition forces continues, forcing many to leave their homes, become refugees and try to find safe havens in the neighbouring countries. The tense situation in Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq and Libya, just to mention few, is not much different. Also the instability of many countries around the world in terms of their political and economical state makes life difficult and unbearable. We live in a world with wars, hostilities, hardship, poverty, death, persecution, killing, sexual abuse and domestic violence. People are afraid of losing their lives, what they have and their dignity. We live in a chaotic world with fear in our hearts.

The question is: “Is there good news when people face dangers and the pressures of life?” The answer is YES, in fear and terror there is good news. Mary, Joseph and the shepherds were afraid when they met the angels who brought the good news of Jesus’ birth. Mary was fearful when the angel Gabriel greeted her (Luke 1:29). Joseph was fearful when he knew that his fiancée Mary was pregnant with a child and wanted to divorce her secretly (Math. 1:18-21). The shepherds were terrified when the angel of the Lord appeared to them when they were watching their flocks by night (Luke 2:8-10). But the fear of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, disappeared when the angel gave the good news to them. The good news transformed their fears and doubts into happiness and joyful song.

The same Good News arrives to us today. The same Good News changes the progression of our life today and changes the fear and the uncertainty into faith and joy. The good news is He, the Saviour who is born in the city of David. The good news is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). His way is the way of peace and love, which is open for all. Our duty is to turn to the good news and to put it in the centre of our lives.

Many years ago during the civil unrest in Lebanon, some young adults were asked, “What is the meaning of Jesus’ birth in your uncertain and terrifying situation?” One said: “The birth of the Lord Jesus is good news because it includes good tidings of peace”. Another said: “The good news assures me that God is with me in my difficulties in the past, in the present and in the future”. Third said: “The good news encourages me because God, taking the form of a man, comes to the world in the place of fear and uncertainty, conquers them and gives me His love to live a victorious life”.

The good news encourages us and lifts us from the valley of fear and uncertainty. The great love that God reveals, and the sending of His only Son, changes the definition and the meaning of life for us, and the acceptance of the good news with faith opens before us the door of eternal life (John 3:16).

Is not the love of God enough to live a victorious life in our difficulties and fears? “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

Love and victory come to us through Jesus Christ with the Good News. “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes, that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:5).

If we believe in the Good News, as a result of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we will gladly decide to transfer that Good News to others.

Let us tell the Good News every day. Let us live the life of those who receive and those who bear the herald. Come let us bring our fears and issues before the perfect Love and the Saviour child who sleeps under the rays of the Bethlehem star.

Reverend Krikor Youmshajekian