“Good Tiding of Great Joy … To All People”

December 2023

Dear friend,

Greetings to you in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ! There are so many different Scriptures that speak of the Lord’s coming over 2,000 years ago. Isaiah spoke of a virgin conceiving and bringing forth a son named Immanuel. Micah 5:2 tells us of the Ruler of Israel coming from “Bethlehem Ephratah.” Numbers 24:17 tells us that “..there shall come a Star out of Jacob..” The prophet Daniel foretold the specific date the Messiah would arrive, yet people did not recognize the time of His visitation.

We could mention the place of His birth spoken to the shepherds who were abiding in the fields keeping watch over the sheep. Those weren’t just any old sheep. These were special sheep, raised specifically for sacrifice in the temple. Those shepherds weren’t just a bunch of teenagers getting a job to make some cash. They were actually Levites caring for these sheep. The manger was at a specific place called Migdal Eder, and the manger was a stone feeding trough. We know that later on the Lord Jesus would be called “The Lamb of God” who takes away the sins of the world. It is said these Levite/ shepherds would inspect the lambs when they were born and wrap them in swaddling clothes to keep them from being bruised. The new born Christ had to be inspected by the Levites just as the lambs were according to their law.

In Luke 2:7 while Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, she brought forth the Lord Jesus, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; “because there was no room for them in the inn.” Sometimes we pray and pray about circumstances and it seems the Lord won’t answer. We are ignored or there is no room for us in society. You might even feel abandoned by God, but this is never the case. Sometimes to fulfill His will He has to create an obstacle to fulfill Scripture. Who would think the King of heaven, born of a virgin, would be laid in a manger at His birth? How could this be the will of God? But He came to fulfill all Scripture: especially the ones concerning the life of the Son of God. He was the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world!

The angel visited these shepherds in the field and said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people…And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” They would know it is the Messiah because the babe would be wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger! They knew where the manger was, for they had used it many times over the years. God turns rejection many times into incredible fulfillment! While most people in Bethlehem were complaining that night, there was great rejoicing in the hills outside the village!

The heavens opened up and all the host of angels praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Some Bible versions misinterpret this verse by saying, “peace to men of good will.” But the original specifically says, “and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Peace does not originate with men. We do a good job of bringing forth divisions! Peace, God reconciling with humanity through Christ Jesus, was birthed that night in the hills outside of Bethlehem. His peace is a gift to all people. He freely gives it to those who will open their lives up and receive it. Yes, it is for you, too! Ask Him to grant you His peace that passes all understanding. He might take you on a journey you hadn’t planned. He might cause you to completely trust Him, but He will lead you all the way home to where He is! Trust Him today with your whole life, and you will discover the grace that enables you to be an overcomer, the unlimited love of God that brings great assurance, and the peace of Christ which passes all knowledge!

From our church in Torrington, we wish you a blessed Christmas time. We are praying for you. May God visit you and bless you, both now and always!

Sincerely,

Rev. Daniel Bossidy

P.S. I invite you to our Sunday morning church service at 10 am. We will also live stream all our services on Facebook Live at 10 am, 7 pm, and Wednesday at 7:30 pm.