Read Luke 2:8-20
In this familiar passage, God convinces us that he turns nobodies into somebody and entrusts them with a message for everybody. Though we may forget it sometimes, without Christ, we, like these shepherds, are nobodies. But in Christ, we are somebody—God's dearly beloved children—and we too have been entrusted with the good news of the gospel. If you belong to Christ, you are honored not only to have been visited, but to be commissioned with dignity to carry the good news to the nobodies around you.
What is this message with which we have been entrusted?
Great Joy
It is, first of all, a message of great joy. The Bible says that the “Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking (that is, rules), but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Ro. 14:17). Those who have been forgiven of their sins, who are being put back together, and who have the hope of eternal life have every reason to be joyful. If Christ is your Savior, there must be some fun and laughter in your life and in your home. Is our message more characterized by "do's and don’ts" or by good news of great joy? Of course, we must never compromise the truth that all people are born sinful and are without hope except for Christ's redemption. But alongside that truth, we must overwhelm people with God's grace to us in Christ Jesus. It is his kindness, after all, that leads to repentance (Ro. 2:4).
Universal
Notice too that this message is for “all people.” God is announcing to these shepherds his plan to take the Gospel to the nations. It will no longer be just for the Jews, but for Gentiles too. The Gospel is not for the religious, but for the lost. The good news of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ is available to every category of person. God called shepherds to spread that news to convince people the Gospel was for everyone. The Church must be a place where "shepherds" are welcome.
Christ and Lord
The angels announce that this Savior will be the Christ, the Anointed One; that is, the One equipped by the Spirit to fulfill all of the prophecies made about him in the Old Testament. [1] He will be the Prophet of God’s salvation message, the Priest making the way for our access to the Father, and the King who will subdue, rule, and defend us. He is called Lord to communicate the fact of his divinity (Lk. 20:41-44).
Keeps Promises
Finally, notice that the message with which we are entrusted is one of a God who keeps promises. When the shepherds saw Jesus, they realized that everything was just as they had been told. To see Jesus is to see that he is the fulfillment of everything you are promised in Scripture. He will never disappoint you.
Let us continue to share this good news of great joy with all people. We can be assured that all who receive it by faith will never be disappointed into all eternity.
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[1] This is the only place in the Synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) where Jesus is referred to as “Savior.”