But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

It’s been said often—this has been a year like no other. But so was the year Jesus was born!

Jesus Christ is the good news. Even as a newborn, he was the good news to the working men, the shepherds who were watching their flock. He was the good news to the righteous and devout man, Simeon, to whom the Holy Spirit had revealed that he would not see death before seeing the promised messiah, whom he held and blessed (Luke 2:26). He was the good news to the widow, Anna, who did not depart from the temple, but who served God by fasting and prayers night and day. And in that instant of seeing the child she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem (Luke 2:37-38).

He was the good news as a 12-year-old boy, when temple teachers and all who heard him were amazed and blessed by him. Even Jesus’ own earthly parents and family were amazed by him.

To this day and age, Jesus is still amazing and blessing us. We, here, at Fresno Pacific University, are proclaiming Christ through our motto: Founded on Christ. We are proclaiming that the Lord’s Christ IS the good news.

As we begin to prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ let us not forget to look back over this year and celebrate the things that God has done for us. This has been a year like no other just as it was in the year that our Lord Jesus Christ was born.

Father, we bless you as we remember that you are God and God alone. We thank you for your provision of good news in the child of Jesus Christ, who came to save us from all our sins. We proclaim today that he is the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.