Breaking news …

Every newspaper reporter dreams of one day getting the “big story” that runs on page one with his byline at the top.

I had a little taste of that as I was learning journalism in high school. I had moved from journalism class to rookie reporter on the school paper and had just been promoted to Managing Editor when I heard a rumor that would be a big story if it turned out to be true.

Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona was a brand new school. Unique to its design was the very expensive solar panel system atop its roofs. Corona was the first high school constructed with a comprehensive solar system to contribute to its own energy needs.

But there was one problem: the solar system wasn’t working. It was a failure, and I broke the story.

Not only was it the lead story on page one of the school newspaper, but The Phoenix Gazette and the Tempe Daily News also ran my story on their front pages. It was my first taste of breaking a noteworthy story. Needless to say, I was thrilled!

If that story was thrilling to break, imagine the excitement of the unnamed angel who suddenly appeared near Bethlehem a couple thousand years ago to break the biggest story in human history up to that time:

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!'” Luke 2:8-11.

Now that is a big story!

So big the other angels couldn’t help but jump in on the announcement, “Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of heaven — praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased,'” Luke 2:13-14.

That’s a story that would change human history, a story that would impact every life. Who wouldn’t want to get in on breaking such big news?

Here’s a little more excitement — you and I get to be included in breaking this phenomenal story! God wants us to share this big story with everyone on the planet who haven’t yet heard this good news. God has issued you a divine press pass. Go tell the story!

Scotty