Christmas Joy

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

I’d settle for a bit of joy these days. But “great joy”? Is that too much to hope for?

Where did all the Christmas joy go anyway? Why are things so complicated? Why so rushed, squeezed and cluttered? Does it have to be this way? Is there any Christmas joy left to be enjoyed? 

For the shepherds on that first Christmas, it started out as any other ordinary night. Same, same. Another uneventful night caring for their flocks. For thousands of years, shepherds had done the same thing. Even King David, when he was just a boy, stood watch over sheep, perhaps even in those very fields of Bethlehem. Life hadn’t changed much for the shepherds. 

But this was no ordinary night! Angels, beaming with the glorious light of God Himself, showed themselves to the shepherds. One announced, “I bring you good news of great joy!” Now, if it were me, I’m thinking fear, not great joy. Joy would have to come later!

Please understand, I’m not talking about enjoyment here. Enjoyment is biting into a Christmas cookie, or opening a shiny Christmas package. But on that day, great joy came in the startling realization that God came to make His home on earth. He had come to reclaim this sin-sick world. 

That, dear Christ follower, is joy. Furthermore, it is “great” joy because it “will be to all people.” All people—then and now. That includes you and me! 

May your days be filled with “great joy.” 

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11