Glad tidings or good news?
Does it really matter?
“And the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10
Folks of a certain age grew up with the Luke’s Christmas story as told by the King James Version. I was surprised that in the current translation of KJV “glad tidings” have been replaced by “good tidings.” I suppose it doesn’t make a great difference, but I prefer the older “glad.” But what about that rather strange word that follows the words “good” or “glad”? What are tidings?
Most of us never think about that.particular word. Since we already know what is waiting in the stable in Bethlehem and the words “good” or “glad” simply confirm it, we assume “tidings” means something positive. “Tidings” comes from the Old English term “tidan” which mean “to happen.” Just like my preferred “glad” has been changed to “good”, the word “tidings” has been changed to “news” in most more recent translations.
Twentieth century mystic, Howard Thurman, wrote, “To the Christian and the non-Christian, there is the ever-present hope that tidings of great joy into the heart and life.” I suppose whether the angelic proclamation is “good news” or “glad tidings” it brings “great joy” to the heart.