Glad Tidings…Good News…

Glad Tidings

(Shalom Chaverim)

Shalom chaverim, shalom chaverim,

Shalom, shalom.

L’hit raot, L’hit raot,

Shalom, shalom!

Glad tidings we bring of peace on earth,

Goodwill toward [people].

Of peace on earth, of peace on earth,

Goodwill toward [people]![i]

The original “Shalom Chaverim”, in Hebrew, is a folk song that translates to "Peace, my friends.” The word “shalom (שָׁלוֹם)”—“peace”—can also mean completeness, wholeness, well-being. “Chaverim (חֲבֵרִים)”—“friends”—can also be translated as "companions" and “lehitraot (לְהִתְרָאוֹת)”—is "until we see each other again" or "farewell".

The English translation provided here loses some of this deeper meaning—friends/companions are not mentioned; “peace on earth” is emphasized but leaves out the sense of wholeness/completeness of the rich word “shalom.”

There are echoes in this short song that remind me of Christmas—glad tidings of great joy…and of Christ—bringing the good news of His kingdom…

But, in the midst of current news--new mass shootings, targeting of Jewish Hannukkah celebrators on Bondi Beach (a place we have gone many, many times), ongoing wars, nasty political rhetoric, deeply racist and misogynistic attitudes and actions—glad tidings seem like wishful thinking. It seems we are mourning constant tragedy, disaster, and heartbreak.

Into our broken world…and the world of ancient times…our Lord promised a Savior and delivered One…and promises He will return to make all things right. In Isaiah 61—written 700-800 years before Jesus’ birth (notably after the excruciating years of the Israelites’ captivity and exile in Babylon), the “glad tidings” are as follows:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,[blind]

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord

for the display of his splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins

and restore the places long devastated;

they will renew the ruined cities

that have been devastated for generations.

Strangers will shepherd your flocks;

foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

And you will be called priests of the Lord,

you will be named ministers of our God.

You will feed on the wealth of nations,

and in their riches you will boast.

Instead of your shame

you will receive a double portion,

and instead of disgrace

you will rejoice in your inheritance.

And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,

and everlasting joy will be yours.

“For I, the Lord, love justice;

I hate robbery and wrongdoing.

In my faithfulness I will reward my people

and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Their descendants will be known among the nations

and their offspring among the peoples.

All who see them will acknowledge

that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

I delight greatly in the Lord;

my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation

and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,

as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up

and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness

and praise spring up before all nations.

(Isaiah 61:1-11)

In the power of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah says, the Messiah is anointed to bring good news to those lacking it, to soothe the brokenhearted, to bring freedom to all in captivity, to release prisoners and the blind from the darkness that dominates them, and to proclaim that the Lord is in control of granting favor and of taking any revenge against ones enemies. Our Savior is sent to us to comfort and provide for us in our mourning and grief, to transform ashes into beauty, to turn our sorrow into joy, to transmute our despair into praise. The rest of the passage talks about us growing into strong oaks (of righteousness), rebuilding ancient ruins, restoration of long-devastated places. We will welcome foreigners and strangers. We will become priests and ministers to one another. Our shame and disgrace will be converted into an eternally rich inheritance in the Lord. God promises justice. He declares He will keep His covenant promises to us, showering us with blessing and favor. And, the ultimate effect: we will “delight greatly in the Lord”.

Comfort. Healing. Blessing. Joy.

In the story of the birth of Jesus, 800 years later, we read that shepherds (those not at the top strata of society) who are faithfully doing their caretaking jobs are visited by an angel of the Lord:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 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.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

(Luke 2:8-14)

Peace on earth.

Goodwill to people.

Good news.

Jesus Himself reads the first portion of the Isaiah 61 passage in the early part of His ministry (see Luke 4), indicating the type of kingdom He is ushering in to the brokenness and darkness of the world. Matthew 4:23 tells us “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” Again in Matthew 9:35: “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” According to Matthew 11:5, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Mark 1:14-15: “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’” Luke 4:18-19: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 7:22: “So he replied to the messengers, ‘Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.’” Luke 8:1: “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.”

All of these verses are under the headers of Our Savior announcing the Good News.

Good News. Healing. Freedom. Recovery.

God entering into our midst to transform, redeem, save, release.

Proverbs 15:30 tells us that “Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” Proverbs 25:25 says “Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.”

Jesus taught us to pray that His Kingdom come, His will be done ON EARTH as it is in heaven. On earth. Now. Today. Not just later in eternity.

May these promises and the long trajectory of God’s faithfulness and kept covenant be what grants us “peace on earth” in spite of the next news cycle of doom and gloom. May Jesus’ and His Good News be the reason we can say today and tomorrow:

Shalom chaverim, shalom chaverim,

Shalom, shalom.

L’hit raot, L’hit raot,

Shalom, shalom!

Glad tidings we bring of peace on earth,

Goodwill toward [people].

Of peace on earth, of peace on earth,

Goodwill toward [people]![ii]

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Shirley Giles Davis, author of God's Affirmations For You: A Book of Encouragement—A 12-Week Devotional Practice, the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition), and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with hundreds of faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and executive leaders in a diversity of fields for four decades. She currently serves as Catalyst for Equipping at her church.

Additionally, the contents of these blog posts may not be used to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies without the author's express permission