Good News of Great Joy: For all People

On Christmas Eve the angel told the shepherds, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all

the people” (Luke 2:10). One wonders if those words struck those Jewish shepherds as odd. For

centuries, God had given special attention to one nation—Israel. There were Jewish religious leaders

who taught that only members of that special people would be saved. Not according to the Christmas

angel! The birth of the Savior was good news for all people.

Today we celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord. Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning “reveal.”

When the Savior was born, he was first revealed to Israelites: the shepherds, Simeon, Anna. But today,

the Lord miraculously guides foreigners across countless miles, so the Savior could be revealed to them

as well. How did the magi respond? “They were overjoyed” (Matthew 2:10). Epiphany is sometimes

known as “The Gentiles’ Christmas.” We Gentiles (non-Jews) rejoice in the good news that this Jewish

baby is not just the Savior of Jews. He is for all people—the Savior of the world.