Announcing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Mark 1:14-15

Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Today we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. He came as a baby, born in a manger, celebrated by shepherds and wisemen. But He didn’t remain a baby. He didn’t live in the manger. Jesus grew into adulthood, and at the age of 30, he began publicly preaching the Gospel.
These two verses demonstrate what the Christmas message is all about. It is not about sleighs or reindeer, or beautifully wrapped presents under a tree, or even festive celebrations with friends and family. Those things can be appreciated, but at its very core, the Christmas message is about the joy and hope that comes from the Good News—that through faith in Jesus, lost sinners, like you and me, can be forgiven and can have a place in God’s kingdom.
For the next few minutes, as we look at these two verses, I want you to notice a few details about this Good News that Jesus is proclaiming.