Welcome to the in touch podcast with Charles Stanley for Monday, December 18th.

Are all those parties and shopping sprees keeping you from appreciating the true meaning of Christmas?

Let's begin a series that takes you to the manger and far beyond.

Here's part one of Good News of Great Joy.

Everybody likes to hear good news that brings them joy.

Well, the best news, the greatest news,

the most important news announcement ever made.

It was made about 2,000 years ago.

And it was made not by a man but by an angel, not in the darkness but in the

light of the glory of God. It was a very short announcement. In fact, it took probably less than 20 seconds.

That is the most important announcement the world has ever heard took less than 20 seconds. And it's found in Luke chapter 2 if you'll turn their

beginning in verse 8. This is the greatest news the world has ever heard and after 2,000 years of human progress

from the discovery of the new world to a man walking on the moon this is still

the best news the greatest news the most important news you and I will ever hear.

And beginning in verse 8, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ already having taken place,

Luke says, and in the same region there were some shepherds

staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an

angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone round them and they were terribly frightened.

And the angel said to them,

Do not be afraid for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people

For today in the city of David there has been born for you a savior who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you.

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