Announcement definition. News means newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent or important events.
There is good news today! Jesus Christ is born! In our world, broadcast stations mostly announce bad news but our God was announcing good news. The good news of peace, hope, joy, love, and salvation for everyone.
How did God announce the birth of His Son? God doesn’t announce the same way that man announces the biggest event of history. Let’s consider a chronological list.
1. OT prophecies: God has been announcing the coming of His Son since the very beginning. First mention of one coming who would crush Satan’s head in Gen 3:15. But in regards to His birth, Is 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given.”
2. Luke 1:31, Angel come to announce to Mary that she “will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give Him the name, Jesus.
3. Elizabeth’s child leap with joy at the announcement of Mary’s arrival
4. Joseph and his dream. Others in village of Nazareth. Joseph had his own supernatural encounter. [Matt 1:20-23] First the angel revealed that the child was conceived by God’s Holy Spirit, which made Him the literal Son of God. Second, the angel announced that the child would be the long-awaited Messiah.
5. Shepherds and people in Bethlehem. The rich and powerful in Jerusalem were blissfully unaware [as it was in the days of Noah] of the momentous event taking place in the countryside, angels appeared to outcast shepherds. Host of angels to the lowly shepherds in contrast to breaking news of today’s standard. Behold I bring you good tidings Luke 2:10. A great company of the heavenly host. All of heaven rejoicing. The shepherds immediately left their sheep alone to go to “Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They found it just as the angels said. They must have gone from fear to joy and wonder at the announcement of the birth of the Savior. They became evangelists. The Greek word for evangelism—announcing of good news. There were thousands of people who emerged on the town then who were available to hear the announcement. They were amazed at what they heard and then promptly forgot about it.
6. Simeon and Anna. When Jesus was presented on the eight day in the temple as required by law, Mary and Joseph encountered Simeon, a righteous and devote follower, and Anna, a prophetess. The Holy Spirit announced and prophesized to them that the baby would bring salvation to the world.
7. Magi saw star and followed it, fully expecting it to lead them to a great king, in the capital city, in a royal palace. Jesus however, the rightful heir to the throne of Israel, quietly was born in a small town with no fanfare among no one of great worldly importance.
8. The Magi made an announcement to Herod and all in palace which ignited death of babies under the age of two.
9. Skip ahead 30 years and you have John the Baptist saying one who is greater will come.
10. God at Jesus’ baptism and God on the mountain of transfiguration
11. Jesus himself told His disciples.
12. The Demoniac and the Samaritan woman told those outside of Jerusalem.
13. Demons announced who He was.
14. All witnesses from then until today.
The announcement today is that He is coming again. No one knew the day of the Messiah’s arrival though there were many prophecies. No one knows His second arrival, though many prophecies in Revelation. The message is always the same. Be ready!
