We are continuing, “What does Christmas mean to you?” by Billy Graham.

Notice the angels and their gladness. We are told by our Lord, in the three marvelous stories reported in Luke 15, that the angels in Heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents. One person coming to Christ can cause the angels to rejoice as they did the day that Jesus was born.

Notice the shepherds. At first, they were afraid. They saw a bright light and heard the angels, and they were afraid. The fi rst thing the angel said to them was, “Do not be afraid.”

Our world is trembling with fear today. I don’t know a leader with whom I have talked this year who doesn’t tremble when he sees what possibly lies just ahead.

If ever there was a moment to say, “Fear not!” God reigns! God is sovereign! God has a plan,” it is now! Look at the 43rd chapter of Isaiah, where God says, “I formed you. I made you. I redeemed you. Fear not! I will be with you through the waters. I will be with you in the times of trouble” (Cf. Isaiah 43:1-2). Whether it is our personal lives or our national lives, He will be with us.

On that fi rst Christmas almost 2,000 years ago, the world experienced three phenomena: First, the star. Many stars shone in the sky, but none like this one. This one shone with aura and brilliance! Second, a new song in the air. With the coming of God in the fl esh, hope sprang in the hearts of people. Led by angelic beings, the world took up the refrain, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14) And third, the good news - the Good News that at last a Savior had come to save men and women from sin: “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Jesus was the central theme of that fi rst Christmas. The star, the song, the gifts, the kneeling, the joy, the hope, the excitement — all were because of Him.

God’s star promised peace to the world if we will believe and trust Him. “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Heaven and earth joined together! God and mankind reconciled. Hope for the hopeless; pardon for the guilty; forgiveness for the conscience-stricken; peace for those who knew no peace; all good news for those who have had nothing but bad news!

We must share what God has given us, Christmas carries with it the idea of sharing with others. And the greatest need that the world has is that we share our love. There is no law anywhere in the world which says you can’t love the person whom you work with or live beside, or someone of another race - and to love so much that you give. Love is not a passive word but an active word. Most people are looking for a little bit of love - true love.