The angel told the shepherds that they brought “good news of great joy” and their news was for “all the people.” 

The phrase good news is from the Greek word euangelion, meaning good news, good tidings, and the word gospel. When the angels told the shepherds they had come to bring “good news” of great joy, they used the same word Paul used in Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (italics added).

When the shepherds announced the birth of Christ, they announced his purpose. Jesus is the good news, the gospel, and the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

If only we could live our lives with the conviction that we have good news. If only Christians were convinced that they have the ability and the joy to share the gospel with people. The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. Why then do we falter, hesitate, or second-guess our response when someone asks us about our faith? Why then did we ever allow our culture to tell us our message is a personal truth rather than the good news for everyone?

The shepherds rushed from the cave in Bethlehem to tell others what they had seen. Scripture says, “All who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them” (Luke 2:18). The shepherds had “good news” and were anxious to share it with everyone. The shepherds are our example today. 

The shepherds didn’t try to convince people they were right; they simply shared the good news they had experienced. They shared the message the angels had given them. Our witness is to do the same thing with people today. The gospel is the powerful good news about who the baby Jesus grew to become. 

Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Our gift to Jesus is to share the good news, the gospel, with his wisdom and power. We have a treasure to give others.