Good Tidings of Great Joy to All People

December 13, 2011 - No matter how bad the headlines may get, Christmas is always a time for proclaiming good news.

by Franklin Graham

It’s been that way since the sun set on unsuspecting shepherds on the hills outside Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. “And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:9-11, NKJV).

Those unforgettable words changed history in ways the shepherds could never have imagined. Although most people slept through the angels’ announcement, the long-awaited Messiah had come to earth to rescue people from their sins.

As the clock ticks today, there are still billions of people who have yet to hear the wonderful truth of Christmas. Many are behind the dark curtain of religions that cannot save them. Others pass by churches every day. As followers of Jesus, we have been commanded to tell them all.

Our mission at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is to reach as many people as we can, any way we can, with the Good News of Jesus Christ. This year, through our worldwide ministries, we have trained hundreds of thousands of believers to share their faith with their families and friends, and we have been privileged to help lead millions of people to make life-changing decisions for Jesus Christ.

As we pause to remember our blessings this Christmas, everyone at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is truly thankful for your prayers and support. Together, we can join with the angels in the triumphant words of Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (NKJV).