The Good News: Unexpected, Illuminating, Calming, Decisive

Christmas time 2020 is really special. Personally, I don’t even feel like going shopping, as shops are certainly crowded right now, looking for something that will make someone happy. Instead, I’ve enjoyed settling down the past four Sundays during the season known as Advent. The term adventus (Latin) means “arrival.”

During our celebration of Advent these four Sundays, we have focused on the arrival of the one whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. Our celebrations have taken place on Zoom with a mix of classic Christmas carols, readings, testimonies, film clips, and multiple speakers. One of the speakers who lives in the United States got up at 4am to join us! Everything was done to enjoy a calm, festive moment with kind people, and for us to reflect on the “Good News” in these troubled times. What Good News? Four aspects were highlighted.

First, this is unexpected, surprising Good News. On the first Christmas when Jesus was born, the first people told were neither rich nor noble, but shepherds, the “lowest” of society. They ran to check the accuracy of this news. The discovery of Jesus overwhelmed them with so much joy that they told everyone around. So, we can’t keep good news to ourselves.

Secondly, it’s about illuminating, enlightening Good News. Adam and Eve, our first parents, saw fit to turn their backs on the God who created them. Wanting to be your own boss is not synonymous with freedom but enslavement to our evil inclinations, which are kindled by the enemy of God, Satan. Evil thoughts and actions follow (called sin), plunging our life and our world into a thick fog. Jesus appeared in this darkness like a light that illuminates the path that brings us to God.

Third, it is calming and relieving Good News. We cannot find our heart’s peace anywhere else; it can only be found with God.

Fourth, this Good News is decisive. In 2020, we have all experienced or come close to disease, death, mourning, loneliness, unemployment, bankruptcy, the limits of science… Jesus, the Son of God, did not remain a baby in a manger. He died on a cross for our sins – sin for which we still suffer the consequences today. Jesus came to this world for us to be reconciled to God and to be with us whatever our situation. This knowledge gives us a decisive choice: to ask Jesus to come into our lives, or to remain as we are, far from God.

May this special Christmas 2020 be an opportunity for everyone to make the right choice, with joy!

Birgit B.