Key Text: Luke2:8-12
Christmas is supposed to be ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ yet for some people it’s the best and the worst of times. Great to catch up with family and friends but for some it emphasises their loneliness. Great to indulge in special treats reserved only for Christmas. Yet for some it serves to only remind them of their lack. Great to have a break and relax but for others the pressure of expectation pushes up their blood pressure.
Christmas is a celebration of the abundance of life. Yet for some it brings the spotlight on the emptiness.
Christmas is supposed to be full of joy but too many people are miserable.
We know that there is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is dependent on externals whereas joy is dependent on the internals. It’s not what you have around you but what you have in you, that makes the difference.
James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds.
We could talk about the joy of Christmas being found in reconciliation, reconnection, generosity or rejoicing in itself
The Bible is quite clear about where the source of our joy is, it tells us right here in v.10 and 11 that it is only in Jesus.
Jesus was quite emphatic/definite about who He is John 8:12and 24 ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness…I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.’
The angels where the ones who brought the news to the world. It is so good that it will bring you joy. What is this news that puts joy in our hearts? It is today a saviour who is Jesus the Lord has been born.
No one else or nothing other than Christ Jesus is the source of our joy.
When we look at joy(ful) ‘Rejoice’ in the Bible it is always because of God, who He is and what He as done. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 and 18 ‘Rejoice always’…’give thanks in all circumstances.
What a birth announcement. The shepherds were terrified but their fear turned into joy as the angel announced the Messiah’s birth. When we are fearful, anxious, uncertain, faithless, When we again allow the truth that not just a saviour but the saviour has come all those negative feelings that will hold us back, paralyse us will soon turn to Joy.
Remember we established that our source of joy comes because of who God is and what He has done. We want our joy to return? Then remember what God has done for us because He’ll do it again. When we go through the old photographs of our minds eye, we see God at work in this situation, in that situation. We remind ourself that He was there then and He’s been there ever since.
As we turn the pages of our memories you see the faithfulness of God on every page. The mountains we had to climb, the valleys where we fell. God in His faithfulness was there. And that’s the story we tell of God’s faithfulness.
The shepherds first ran to see the baby, then they spread the word. When we allow the saviour of the world to enter our lives, when we receive by faith the salvation that He brings He gives every single one of us just like the shepherds a story to tell…Good news of great joy that will be for all the people/everyone. v.10
Jesus is our saviour, your Messiah. Do we look forward to meeting Him in prayer and in His word each day
He’s the one who brought the broken pieces of our lives together. He’s the one who allows us in the midst of trial and trouble to look to Him and say ‘it is well with my soul.’
That’s the joy of the Lord, that’s the joy that the Christmas story brings to the heart of every believer.
When we discover a Lord so wonderful we can’t help sharing our joy with others because it becomes part of our story (Testimony)
The good news about Jesus is that he came to all including the plain and the ordinary. He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept Hi
Whoever we are, whatever we do, we can have Jesus in our life but he doesn’t come alone one of the many things He brings is the Joy of the Lord.
We don’t need extraordinary qualifications He accepts us as we are.
Joy to the World, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room.
And Heaven and nature sing.
And Heaven and nature sing.