“I’ve got good news and bad news, what would you like first?” I’m going to change that up slightly and say, I have fake news and good news – let’s start with the good!
‘That night, in a field near Bethlehem, shepherds were watching over their flocks. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid, for I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah’ Luke 2:8-11.
And now for the FAKE NEWS…
The fake news is the idea that Jesus – the Rescuer, the Messiah, the One announced in Luke 2 as “good news of great joy for all people” — would ever harm innocent lives or stand on the side of cruelty. The fake news is the claim that the One who came to bind up the brokenhearted and set the captives free would somehow be interested in building empires, protecting wealth, or blessing systems that crush the vulnerable. The fake news suggests that Jesus would turn His face away from the poor, the refugee, the outsider, or the wounded. It creates a Jesus who celebrates power instead of sacrifice, who chooses dominance over compassion, who values comfort more than justice.
It goes even further. The fake news tries to convince us that Jesus would justify mistreatment of people made in His very image. That He would support voices that demean, exclude, or silence. That He would applaud the strong while ignoring the weak. That He would silently ignore all the lies, racism and hatred done in His name.
But deep down, most of us know this isn’t true. We know this is not the Jesus of the manger, the Jesus of the cross, or the Jesus of the resurrection. We know this is not the Jesus who touched lepers, wept with the grieving, fed the hungry, and lifted the heads of those the world rejected. We know this is not the Jesus who said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary,” or the Jesus who laid down His life for His enemies.
The fake news tries to remake Jesus in our image, to make Him look like us. The good news reveals Jesus as the One who came to help us look like Him… and that Jesus is still good news for all people. The good news is that in our worst moments, in our pain or suffering, we are not alone – He is Emmanuel – God with us.
A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!
If this Christmas season, or any time of the year you need prayer support, don’t hesitate to call our 24/7 confidential prayer line (705-805-1715), where one of our prayer partners will be available to pray for you.
Rev. Ramona Jaggard,
Manitoulin
Community Church,
Tehkummah