A follow-up medical procedure today had my stomach in knots. It felt strange checking in at the hospital for an ultrasound! I know what you’re thinking and NO we are NOT pregnant. But when you complain of tenderness at your mammogram, you can bet the medical professionals will be thorough. Lying on the exam table, I tried to calm myself by thinking happy thoughts. Trying to stay positive. It wasn’t easy. Doubt and fear kept trying to creep in. In the end, I just had to give all my worry and jitters to God. My results were a relief, but I also was acutely aware that others had not received such good news today at the hospital.
In the back of my mind was Amy Robach, one of the Good Morning America anchors who was reluctantly convinced by producers and colleague Robin Roberts to have a mammogram for a Breast Cancer Awareness Month segment. Robach, 40, discovered from that test that she had breast cancer.“Little did I know that I would be a walking example of ‘having a mammogram saved my life.’” Two women-different diagnoses. But Robach’s visibility and willingness to share her diagnosis has resulted in higher awareness, which many praise as a future life-saver for countless women. She is a survivor and a hero. So why title this “good news”? I can’t imagine Robach would consider her diagnosis “good news.” But she also acknowledges the positive aspect of catching it early: “…while everyone who gets cancer is clearly unlucky, I got lucky by catching it early, and there are so many people to thank for making sure I did. Every producer, every person who urged me to do this, changed my trajectory.The doctors told me bluntly: ‘That mammogram just saved your life.'”
We are in the season of good news. Jesus’s birth WAS the good news and the Gospel (based on the Old English for Godspell) literally means good news. “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:1-6. Talk about an outstanding headline!
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” Luke 2: 9-12 (emphasis added). The good news of Jesus’s birth was not shared first with the religious leaders or those in power but instead the shepherds who were humble and eager to share the good news of the Savior’s birth. Would we be worthy of being entrusted that enormous responsibility? Some days I could say yes, but most days I feel utterly inadequate.
So what is your good news this Advent? Or how will you choose to share the Gospel good news this Christmas? Please share your ideas-I’d love to hear them!
Song of the Day: hot off the press (released December 3) “Bethlehem Skies” by Dara Maclean (featuring Dave Barnes)”:
Dry your eyes the King has come
Death has lost and victory won
You were born to change it all
A warrior though frail and smallJust a baby
sleeping in a manger
All the world was waiting for You to comeHoly, Holy, Silent night
Peace has come to all mankind
All of this with me in mind
Under Bethlehem skiesOh the role you came to play
Born to give your life away
Soon you’ll set the captives free
But tonight’s about your welcomingOh listen
Hear the angels singing
Glory in the highest, the Lord has comeHoly, Holy
Hear the angels sing
Hallelujah
Come now our King