Luke 2:10-11: The JOY of Christmas

Luke 2:10-11.. "And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'"

What is JOY? Well, if you have ever had a lesson on joy in any church setting, you probably know that joy is an internal reality. While happiness is simply an external response to circumstances, true joy happens even in the worst and most miserable of times. We see this throughout the entirety of the Bible, as the Isrealites were able to rejoice even under conviction in the time of Nehemiah, as Paul was able to rejoice in his persecution and imprisonment, and even as Christ was able to approach the cross with "the joy set before him" (Heb. 12:1-5). But specifacly, what is the joy of Christmas? When the angels proclaims "good news of great joy" for all people, what were they talking about?

The "good news of great joy that will be for all people" is the opportunity of salvation for all. I find it so glorious that this "good news" that the angels proclaimed was in face "for all people." This is not saying that all people experience the true joy of Christmas, but rather that all people have the opportunity to. The reality of salvation is open to all who call upon the Lord (Romans 10:13). The Lord will not withhold salvation from anyone who is willing to truly believe in him (John 3:16). The great joy found in Christmas is this great reality--that the Lord has come, and because he has come the opportunity of salvation is open for all. Furthermore, this salvation provides something greater, bigger, and better than anything else in life, and it therefore provides a certain internal hope that is able to overcome any external circumstance. For what circumstance of this world could ever destroy the "good news of great joy" that Jesus has saved our souls from the depths of hell?

So, I ask of your firstly today: are you truly able to enjoy the true joy of Christmas? Are you able to take hold of the fact that God has saved you, and find a greater joy than presents, family, or tradition ever could offer? If you have not, I encourage you to call upon the Lord today--for today is the day of your salvation! And secondly, for those of you who have called upon the Lord, have you taken hold of that joy? Have you allowed the joy of Christ's salvation--that is, the fact that you are eternally secure and that no circumstance on this world could take away your salvation--to permeate your hearts? Are you living with the true joy offered by Christ in his coming, or has the devil squashed it? I encourage you to live with joy, for to not do so is to break a command of God (Phil. 4:4), which is sin.

"Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel." - O Come O Come Emmanuel, Chorus