Luke 2:8-14 “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
The world’s first text simply stated “Merry Christmas”. The world’s first telegraph post transmitted a Bible message:
On Christmas Eve, 1906, the world’s first radio broadcast brought a Christmas program to ships at sea. This revolutionary transmission passed on a hearty Christmas greeting, complete with a reading of the Bible and the playing of the classic “Oh Holy Night.” Across the air waves, the magnificence of God’s Christmas message was transmitted to common voyagers in the Atlantic Ocean. They received good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. They heard the life-changing, eternity-shaping, joy-filled message – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. The glorious news was all about the birth of a Saviour, Christ the Lord!
On the first Christmas, the shepherds heard such a transmission too, meant for common voyagers like them. It was passed on by a multitude of the heavenly host declaring good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. It was a life-changing, eternity-shaping, joy-filled message – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. The glorious news was all about the birth of a Saviour, Christ the Lord!
Regardless of the medium – text, telegraph, radio, or proclamation by a multitude of the heavenly host – the truth is life-changing, eternity-shaping, and joy-filled. It is the entire reason for the Christmas season, and the entire rationale for the swelling joy in the heart of a Christian. It is meant for common voyagers, just like us and those around us. It is news that should cause us to rejoice and that we should retransmit.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO JOYFULLY PRAISE GOD FOR THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOUR. Christ the Lord – a message for common voyagers everywhere!
