Good News For 'forgotten' People

[This is a very short homily given at a residential care home for the elderly, some of whom feel forgotten and many of whom are lonely.]

Luke 2:8 to 20

(Luke 2:9) An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

I am guessing that some of you have seen some terrifying things during your life. Many people who served during the Second World War experienced frightening and life changing events. However, some of us have lived quiet and safe lives; and perhaps it’s only now that life itself seems uncertain or perhaps frightening.

When the shepherds saw the angel and the bright, dazzling glory of the Lord, they were terrified. When I was driving my car on the motorway late at night about 12 years ago and the engine blew up, I was quite concerned! I zipped in front of a coach and made it to the hard shoulder just in time!

(Luke 2:10-11) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

In Jesus’ time shepherds were a forgotten people. They were not the topic of polite conversation. Being a shepherd was to be at the bottom rung; it had become a despised occupation. Shepherds were a forgotten people, but it was to these forgotten people that the angel came! To a fearful, forgotten people the angel announced good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Jesus is good news for me, and Jesus is good news for you!

Good news of great joy for all people!

God does not just ‘love’ us. He chose to take on human flesh and to live as one of us and to later die as one of us. That is how great God is! He knows what it means to be human. Therefore, he understands and he cares.

Shall we pray?