Christmas:

The Promise of Joy

 

“And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people….’”  Luke 2:8-10

“News of great joy…”.  The angels didn’t just bring good news for all the people. No, they clarified what kind of news, news of great joy.

Interestingly enough, the word “joy” was recorded earlier in the book of Luke.

We find in Luke 1:44 the words of Elizabeth, pregnant with John the Baptist, as she informed Mary,  “the baby leaped in my womb for joy.”  This word for “joy” means gladness, extreme gladness. Pretty great, right?

And in the very next verse, Mary’s heart sings. “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46-47   “Rejoiced” means to be so glad that “one might leap in celebration.” Sounds just amazing.

 

However, both Elizabeth and Mary were speaking in terms of “joy” as in extreme gladness, based on circumstances.  

In Luke 2:10, we find the angel of the Lord telling a bunch of shepherds that they “bring good news of great joy.”

Here is the transformation. The angels introduced “joy” in a new context.

Joy, in this instance, means “joy because of the awareness of God’s grace.”

To be even more accurate, it is “joy because of God’s grace.”

Joy because of God’s grace.

Not conditional. Not fleeting. Not circumstantial.

No, a joy originating with God’s grace extended to a bunch of shepherds.

 

You see, it wasn’t the great news that brought them joy. That would be circumstantial.

No, it was news “of great joy”, initiated by God, a joy based on God’s grace, not created by man. 

Joy evidenced by God’s grace. Yes, Christmas brings a promise of joy.

What is miraculous is that we can still experience this joy today, a joy because of God’s grace.

This promise of joy given to the shepherds is the same promise extended to you and to me.

 

Here are the words of Jesus in John 15:11.

“I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”

Joy, given by Jesus, lacking nothing.

 

This I know, our joy is only as lasting as the Source that supplies it.

Jesus, His joy, given to me, without end.  

Yes, the promise of joy is available to anyone of us on Christmas, or any day.

Jesus, the Good News of great joy!

 

“And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people, for today, in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:8-11