Joy

The birth of any child should bring joy. The new life. The hope of what the future has in store for this little one. The fulfillment of desires.

And yet for some the birth of a child brings pain. Maybe it’s the wrong time in life - too young, too old, not financially ready. Maybe it’s illness or differences in the body of the baby that might make life challenging.

Today, as we continue reflecting on the themes of the Advent candles, we get to reflect on this theme of joy. This joy is most clearly seen in the angel’s announcement to the shepherds.

Luke 2:10–11 ESV

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.

As we consider these two brief verses, I want to make one statement and ask two questions. In stating and asking these questions, I’m adapting some things that Spurgeon said one of the times that he preached on this passage.

Let’s begin with a statement...

The birth of Jesus brings great joy!

By earthly standards, it should have been one of those more challenging births. A teenage mother and step-father giving birth away from home in a stable. But the angel clearly says that this is good news of “great joy.” This joy is more than the new life or circumstances. The birth of Jesus brings great joy, abundant joy, overwhelming joy, overflowing joy. It seems that in these verses there are several reasons given. These reasons are all wrapped up in the titles that the angel gives: Savior, Christ, Lord.

First of all, as Lord, Jesus is the incarnation of God

Lord: Incarnation of God

Some commentators have noted that the presence of these three titles together is unique to this announcement, but how does this title of “Lord” talk about the incarnation of God?

Up to this point in Luke’s gospel, there have been 19 times when the title “Lord” has been used. Sometimes it was followed up immediately by “God” as in “The Lord God.” Sometimes it was used as a title for the angel - the angel of the Lord.” While the word in Greek can be used to describe a master or even a leader - up to this point, Luke has always used “Lord” to refer to God. So, what might seem like a passing title for us, is a profound statement - this baby is God.

The divine took on human flesh.

When the angel conversed with Mary about what would happen, he said...

Luke 1:35 ESV

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

This is a mysterious activity. The eternal takes on the mortal. The perfect takes on imperfection. The holy takes on the carnal.

(point of personal impact)

It seems that in order for Jesus to accomplish all that his next title entails, he needed to be God-incarnate. The angel told the shepherds that “a savior” was born. As savior, Jesus is redeemer.

Savior: Redeemer

For first century Jews - this might have been perceived as a military or liberating person - much like judges in the OT acted as liberators from oppressors. I can imagine that this title would have brought the hope of liberation from Roman rule, from an oppressive regime. In a sense He did do that. He came and taught his followers how to be faithful and godly in any regime. His Kingdom is not a kingdom that is limited by political lines of authority or temporary governing structures.

Darrell Bock notes in his commentary that “Luke intends the reader to see the meaning in terms of rescue or delivery from peril, in both its physical and spiritual senses.” (217)

As Savior - He will free people from the bondage that eternally entraps them - sin. When the angel told Joseph that Mary would have a child in Matthew 1:21 “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”” What greater peril could we need rescue from than the eternal consequences of our sin?

The first visitors to this baby may not have been thinking in purely spiritual terms. They were also hoping in the political liberation that was promised.

There are some in our society today who want to see the United States and potentially other countries established as “Christian” nations. Nations whose laws and rules are governed and guided by Scripture. While I think that may be a noble desire, that’s not necessarily why Jesus came as Savior. He came to redeem us from the bondage of our sin and to give us eternal freedom in the midst of godless, governing authorities. When you look a what Jesus taught, He did not try to compel people to make governing changes. He taught how to live well in any context. Consider the beatitudes for example.

Matthew 5:2–10 ESV

And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Ultimately, Jesus came to bring peace - peace between humanity and God - by atoning for our sin; peace in the midst of turmoil by guiding how we should live.

The third title that the angel gives to this new baby is Christ or Messiah - God’s Anointed One

Christ: God’s Anointed One

Christ is essentially the Greek word that the Hebrew renders as Messiah in the OT (Dan. 9:25). As Christ, Jesus is the one that God anointed and appointed to come as savior. He is the one that was foretold in the prophets.

Daniel 9:25–26 NASB95

“So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. “Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.

So, the birth of Jesus is “good news of great joy” because God will become a human in order to redeem us as the promised Messiah, the initial fulfillment of OT prophesy.

As first century Jews, the shepherds would have seen this as joyous and great.

(consider discussing the humility of his birth)

The birth of Jesus brings good news of great joy!

This begs a couple of questions...

Who possesses that joy?

Who gets to experience the joy of this birth?

Charles Spurgeon helps us to see that...

Those who proclaim the news possess that joy.

The first possessors of joy are the...

Angels

Whether it’s the initial angel of the Lord who got to share the specifics or the angelic choir that got to sing...

Luke 2:14 ESV

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

… the angels possessed the joy of the news.

Secondly, the…

Shepherds

After initially hearing, they went to investigate and were so delighted, overjoyed with what they learned that they told everyone they could.

Luke 2:17 ESV

And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.

Do you know what that feels like to have news that you know will bring someone joy? You may already feel that as you prepare gifts to give to loved ones. Like a balloon nearly ready to burst with the overwhelming pressure, as we get to proclaim the news of what someone will receive for Christmas, we get to possess joy!

Or maybe there is joy in the fact that your team - whether the team you cheer for or the fantasy team you assembled - is going to the playoffs or the big game. There is something in us that wants to proclaim that good news.

As people who have received the gift of Jesus, we get the joy of proclaiming the good news, the truth of His birth. However, how often are we squashing that joy because we are intimidated by the opinions of others? How often do we shy away from proclaiming the good news because we don’t want to offend? Are we participating in that joy by proclaiming it? In our celebrations, do we recognize Jesus as the true reason we celebrate Christmas? Do we share the good news of great joy with all people around us?

As James Merritt would say - this is the best news.

Mercy Me would add to that - the best news ever!

Not only do those who proclaim the good news possess the joy, but...

Those who hear the news possess that joy.

The first audience that got to hear this group of angels was a collection of nameless...

Shepherds

There has been a lot of speculation about these shepherds. Some have suggested that they were potentially Temple Shepherds - who were caring for the sheep that would be used in the sacrifices. Others have speculated that these people were despised and looked down upon by society - though that view of shepherds really came along more around 500AD.

What is interesting is that these shepherds received this good news. Sure, they may have been on the lower end of society’s ladder, but they were also at the heart of who God is. Shepherding was at the heart of God. Bock notes that “Abraham, Moses and David were all shepherds at some point in their lives” (213). He shepherded his people. Even the Psalmists affirm that shepherding role that God has in the lives of his people.

Psalm 100:3 ESV

Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

When important things happen for important people, many times it is other important people who hear the news first. For God, since the birth of Jesus was important news for all people, he got the word out to the humble and common. Thabite Anyabwile commented:

“It seems God believes high theology should be given to low people.”

This joy was not reserved for the shepherds alone, it was made available to...

Anyone who would listen

They simply couldn’t keep their mouths shut!

Luke 2:16–18 ESV

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

Their example should be good encouragement and a motivation for us. When we let others hear of the joy that we have in the life of this child in a manger, they get to participate in that joy.

Sure there are some who may take offense when you say Merry Christmas rather than Happy Holidays, but even in our secular society there is more of an openness to hear the good news of Jesus birth as people listen to some Christian, Christmas songs on the radio and in the shopping centers.

So, those who proclaim the good news possess that joy. Those who hear also possess that joy. thirdly…

All those who believe

posses that joy.

Shepherds - believed and acted on it.

Do you believe?

this brings us to one finally question…

What should we do with that joy?

As we think about the people involved in the birth announcement of Jesus, it seems there are several ways that we can and should respond. These are not necessarily in any order of priority.

For those who already believe in Jesus and would call yourself a Christian…

Reflect on the source of that joy

This is something that Mary did - she pondered the events that happened in her heart. Especially this time of year, we race about getting gifts and food prepared. We schedule away our time in order to spend time with others. At some point, we do need to slow down, to reflect, to consider the profound ramifications of all that God has done by sending Jesus. Reflect on the personal impact of Jesus taking on human flesh to save you, to be in a relationship with you, to give you eternal life. Consider taking time to journal or write some reflections.

Secondly, we should...

Speak of it

Both the Angel and the shepherds give us an example of this. It’s easy to fall into the trap of being politically correct by saying “Happy Holidays.” I certainly don’t want us to be rude, but we have this great, joyous news! Jesus came as a gift for all humanity. This is good news of great joy for all people.

Thirdly,

Sing of it

The Angel choir provides this example for us. This of course is easy to do on Sundays or on Christmas eve. May the songs of the true meaning of Christmas overflow from our homes and our lives. We could sing along with Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is You” or Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” but what does that really say about the true meaning of Christmas. May songs like “Joy to the World” or “O Holy Night” or “Angels We Have Heard on High” worm through our minds and burst from our lips - that others might hear the reason for the hope that we have.

Fourthly,

Live in the freedom of this joy

If you’ve been a follower of Christ for a while, you know that Ephesians 6:12 “…we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” You know that we do fight against our own tendencies toward sin as we pursue holiness. But we also live in the truth and the promise of Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Beloved, what a joy that is. Romans 8:38–39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Beloved, live in the freedom if the life that Jesus purchased for you.

There is one final thing that I want to bring up. For those of you who see the birth of Jesus as a sort of “Hallmark” event. For you who hear this good news year after year and make no changes, let me encourage you to follow the example of the shepherds and...

Respond to it

When the angel told them this good news, they did not sit idly by and think - how cute, how wonderful. They took action to confirm what had been told them. I don’t want you to take a blind leap of faith, but I do want you to step forward in faith - investigate the claims of Christianity, pray and ask God to help you trust, to help you believe. Jesus came to free you from the eternal bondage of your sin. He came to bring you new life. Respond today.

(Consider having one of the elders at the front to receive people who may respond to the gospel during the final song).

Let’s pray.

Questions for discussion and reflection

read Luke 2:8-20.

How is the news of Jesus’ birth a source of “great joy” for everyone?

What is significant about the details that the angel includes? (born in the city of David, Savior, Christ, the Lord, wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger)

How did the Shepherds respond to the angel’s message?

How did they respond to the confirmation of that message?

Are we experiencing and expressing the “great joy”? If not, how can we experience and spread that same sort of joy in our celebrations?

What needs to change in our personal, family, church, and cultural celebrations in order for the joy of Jesus’ birth to be experienced more fully?

Benediction:

Romans 15:13 ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.