8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

2020 has been a year of announcements. During lock down, I sat down and watched some of the PM’s press conferences from start to finish – I’ve never done that before! It felt like each week, even each day, there was an announcement of new restrictions, new rules, new case numbers. Even now, these announcements are still going on. They can stir up all sorts of feelings for us – fear, anxiety, uncertainty, perhaps resentment.

At the first Christmas, God himself held a press conference. He made an announcement. And he made it through… angels. 

Do you believe in angels? 

I do. 

I absolutely believe in the spiritual world and angels are a stunning part of that. They are messengers from heaven. But the messages they pass on are not like little love notes passed in the primary school playground, which may mean something today but not much tomorrow. Angels announce the plans of God. Around the birth of Jesus – there are LOTS of angels. One appears to Zechariah, to Mary, to Joseph and on the very night that Jesus is born… an angel appears to a bunch of no-one-in-particular shepherds, watching their flocks on a field outside Bethlehem (verse 8). This angel has an announcement. Look at the announcement and look at the reactions it stirs up: 

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (verse 10). 

This announcement doesn’t cause fear, or anxiety, or uncertainty. It causes joy. For all the people. It is good news. Wow. That’s what I need this Christmas. A saviour, a king, a good king, has come. 

Every so often an announcement is so significant that the press secretary themselves can’t quite hold it in.  This announcement is like that - the angel can’t hold it in establishment –

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests”. 

It is as if they have been waiting for this amazing day, and it has finally, finally arrived. 

I don’t know what announcements are in store for us in 2021. They could be good or bad. They may fuel hope or fear. But I’m so thankful that there is an even bigger announcement that has been made. And each and every day, no matter what the circumstances, that announcement can bring joy. Jesus has come to bring me forgiveness and restore my relationship with God from now into eternity. His death on the cross achieved what was announced. So I can face each day with joy and not fear. 

And just like the shepherds who “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child” (verse 17), I can do that too. 

ANNABEL NIXEY

Annabel is married to Simon and mum to three little people. She loves living in Canberra and being part of Crossroads Christian Church.

Her favourite Christmas carol is ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’.