The word tidings is a descriptive word used when announcing recent news events about to happen. It’s like that old commercial when the actor mentions what E.F. Hutton says, and everyone in the room, upon hearing that name, is immediately silent, waiting to hear what he’s going to say. Shouldn’t our ears also perk up and we get very still, when it comes to hearing the familiar scripture proclaiming “good tidings” of Jesus’ birth? Did you ever stop to think that you’re an angel sending good tidings when you send your Christmas cards every year? You may argue whether this task is a labor of love or just that yearly obligation, spending hours of our time addressing and writing our Christmas cards to a long list of family and friends. Many of us may be heard to say, “What’s the point? I don’t even talk to these people anymore and everything is getting so expensive, especially cards and stamps!” (I admit freely that I MAY be one of those people.) So, maybe this year we can think a little more positively by remembering that through our Christmas cards, we are announcing some very important news. You are sending good tidings of “great joy.” Admittedly, we can’t pretend to say it’s a recent event when announcing this Holy birth of Jesus. However, our Christmas cards are a small way of sending out our tidings to others as a reminder to allow Christ to be born again in our hearts this Christmas season and all during the year as well. Can you imagine how the shepherds felt when they were brought good tidings, or when Joseph and Mary received THE announcement of what was to be? How would each of us respond today if we were visited by an angel announcing news about something amazing that was about to happen? Maybe, just maybe, you’ll feel the joy more this year recalling a renewed reason for writing out those Christmas cards. You are the angel bringing good tidings to all your friends and family, even those with which you may have lost touch. We must never forget that we are God’s messengers. I hope you’ll continue following the star with me this Advent and play an important role in being God’s special messenger this year. Be the angel in your manger scene, be the angel at the top of your tree, be the angel that is sharing the good news of the coming of our Lord and Savior.
“And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
From God's Lips 