Good News of Great Joy

Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will 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. Luke 2:10,11

I haven't posted in some time - just due to busyness and lack of inspiration. I'm also fighting some sort of viral respiratory illness, with the usual symptoms: sore throat, lack of energy, muscle aches - you know the drill, I'm sure. I'm feeling pretty run down, but I'll get over it fairly soon, I think. It doesn't feel like a full-blown flu. I'm just praying that I'll be over it before our family Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations.

There have been some important events in the world the last few days - some good news!

Libya Leaves Axis of Evil

I'm sure everyone has already heard that Muammar Qaddafi (does anyone really know how to spell his name?) has decided that Libya will renounce all weapons of mass destruction, after months of negotiations between the Libyan government and the British and U.S. governments. This is truly good news for the whole world, and I believe, strong vindication for the decisive, tough strategy being taken by President Bush against terrorism.

Libya has taken a look at what has happened over the past two years in Iraq and Afghanistan and has decided that it no longer wants to be part of the "axis of evil." The cost/benefit ratio for supporting terrorism and/or pursuing nuclear, biological or chemical weapons is tilting way over to the cost side. Any possible benefits are greatly outweighed by the cost of the U.S. military paying particular attention to you and your country. Put bluntly, Qaddafi decided that he doesn't want to spend his last days living in a hole in the ground like his old friend, Saddam Hussein.

Libya's decision may also be costly to the WMD efforts in Iran and North Korea, as well. It appears that the three countries were working together to develop nuclear technology, according to this article in the Sunday Herald. I am hoping and praying that the information in the article is true - that Libya's decision hurts efforts to develop WMD's in Iran and North Korea.. It would be wonderful if Iran and North Korea followed Libya in renouncing WMD development and took steps to liberalize and democratize their governments. Iran has announced its intention to allow inspections of its nuclear facilities, but it remains to be seen if the Iranian government is serious about this, or is simply playing diplomatic games. I am looking forward to the day when the Islamic theocracy in Iran is toppled and replaced by a democratic government that respects human rights. I am also looking forward to a free and prosperous North Korea, liberated from its Stalinist nightmare.

Leftists like to characterize George Bush as a one-note musician - all too ready to use military force and unwilling or unable to use diplomacy. The success of the diplomatic effort in Libya gives the lie to that characterization. In my opinion, George Bush is proving himself to be a very capable, decisive leader, willing to use the best means at hand to achieve his objectives, whether that means military force, diplomacy or other means. He is a pragmatist, concentrating on getting results.

Economy Expanding

The past year has produced quite a bit of good economic news. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen over the 10,000 mark, hitting a new 52-week high, which in and of itself, isn't really huge news, but it is one more indicator (amongst many) that the U.S. economy is gathering strength and growing quickly. Job numbers are also improving, though not as quickly as hoped. If you're currently out of a job, the good economic news doesn't help you get a job immediately, but it does improve your odds. My belief is that the job market will improve considerably after the first of the year. Since I'm not an economist, I have no data to back that up. I just think it will.

The good economic news also vindicates the economic policies that the Bush administration has been pursuing. The tax cuts appear to have had the desired effect - stimulating the economy - without leading to inflation, which is always a concern when the economy is strong. A strong economy should start to raise the revenue that the government collects, which ought to reduce the government deficit.

The deficit does concern me. I'd like to see it reduced - but not at the expense of our nation's security. We're in a situation roughly equivalent to the Cold War, so if deficit spending is required to keep us safe (as it was during the Cold War), let's spend the required funds. A strong economy will offset, to some degree, the spending needed for our security. I'm grateful that the economy is growing. It's good news all the way around.

The Real Good News

Finally, and most importantly, I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. The world has given us some good news lately, but there is always bad news to go along with it. Christmas, though, is all about the real Good News.

In a small town in Israel, about 2000 years ago, a baby was born. There was nothing particularly noteworthy in the birth of a baby boy. It happens every day, all over the world. However, the circumstances of this particular boy's birth were unusual. You can read the whole story in the second chapter of the book of Luke.

What makes the birth of Jesus of Nazareth the Good News for all eternity is, of course, who He was: "...and they will call him Immanuel--which means, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:22, quoting from the prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14

In Jesus, God became a man, the one and only perfect Man, so that each and every one of us could be saved. The birth of Jesus proves God's love for us: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

The birth of Jesus was the pivotal point in all of history. His life, death and resurrection made it possible for us to be saved. His teaching and the example of His life showed us how to live. Jesus is the Good News. So, during all of the activities of the Christmas season, let's all remember that Jesus is why we celebrate. His birth made possible the re-birth of us all. "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." Jesus speaking to the Pharisee Nicodemus, in John 3:3

And so, Merry Christmas to everyone. May God bless everyone reading this, bringing you Good News of Great Joy in the new year.

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