BECAUSE OF CHRISTMAS WE CAN EXPERIENCE JOY- LUKE 2:8-14

INTRODUCTION

It is a Christmas hymn that is sung every December. It is a Christmas song that really isn’t about Christmas. It did not even start out as a song. It began as a poem. It was a psalm that was based upon Psalm 98

Psalm 98 CSB

A psalm. Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has performed wonders; his right hand and holy arm have won him victory. The Lord has made his victory known; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen our God’s victory. Let the whole earth shout to the Lord; be jubilant, shout for joy, and sing. Sing to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and melodious song. With trumpets and the blast of the trumpet shout triumphantly in the presence of the Lord, our King. Let the sea and all that fills it, the world and those who live in it, resound. Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains shout together for joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world righteously and the peoples fairly.

Can you guess what the name of this popular Christmas song is? The song is Joy to the World. It was the year 1715 and Isaac Watts initially wrote this song as a poem. One hundred years later, others took one-half of Watts’ poem and set it to music. The result is what we sing every December.

Because of Christmas we can have joy. Our text will reveal to us three principles for possessing joy this Christmas.

PRINCIPLE #1: THERE IS JOY BECAUSE OF THE MESSENGERS OF JOY (2:8-10)

We have a messenger that will be presented and we have recipients of that message (Luke 2:8 ). “In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.”

In the same region of Bethlehem, there were shepherds keeping guard over their sheep as they were grazing on the hills on prime grazing land. These shepherds would have worked hard day and night all year long. These were not the shepherds of our modern-day manger scenes. Shepherds of that day had a reputation of being dishonest crooks. Further, because of their occupation, they were considered and pronounced ceremonially unclean. They were tough, rough, and downright mean. Yet, they also had a soft side. They cared for and protected their sheep. They provided nourishment for their sheep.

These shepherds are the poster children for the social outcasts and sinners for whom Christ came. They were the initial recipients of the good news (evangelizomai) of Christmas. They were out in the fields (March-November) keeping a watch (literally, “watching watches”). They were minding their own business when all of a sudden they get a surprise. [Luke 2:9 ] “Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”

The last phrase of verse nine literally reads, “They feared with a fear, a great one (Phobas Megas).

The greatest pandemic has nothing to do with COVID or any other disease. Next, year, and it has already started, you will increasingly observe people seeking to control you by trying to instill panic within you. Fear is a pandemic that puts you into personal bondage, if you let it. it seizes the heart and it attaches itself to your very soul.

I am sorry if this offends you, but I am going to make the point that is obvious to others around you. Why in the world would you wear a mask riding down the road in your car by yourself? Friend, that is not responsible precaution, that is self-induced panic. That is a self-inflicted bondage. By the way, do not even think about asking me to submit to such foolishness. It is a pandemic of fear and I notice that it inhabits itself mostly in people who have no real biblical faith.

One of the main things people miss when they are not possessed by the Holy Spirit is confidence and common sense. What do you fear today? Is it in the area of finances? Is it in the area of health concerns? Is it upcoming retirement? What is it that you fear?

Listen to the angels and their prescription to fix the fear attaching itself to your soul (Luke 2:10).

Luke 2:10 CSB

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

That phrase, “don’t be afraid,” literally is “stop being afraid.” Listen to the angel, “Stop being struck with paralyzing fear!” Why? It is because of the reality of three glorious phrases: “great news,” “great joy,” and “all people.” There is no basis for fear because of the great and joyful news of the messenger.

The angel is evangelizing the shepherds. They are proclaiming the good news of great joy which is to be shared with all people. That is the very thing that everyone of us is supposed to be doing. Let me tell you something else concerning this truth. If you are truly talking to God in the morning, then you will talk to people about God throughout the day. AMEN PASTOR EDDIE! I will AMEN my own sermon if I have to.

If your quiet time in the morning doesn’t lead you to speak to others in the afternoon and the evening, your quiet time was probably a waste of time. If it is good and great news meant for all people, then we have a responsibility to share with as many people as possible the all encompassing good news of the gospel.

PRINCIPLE #2: THERE IS JOY BECAUSE OF THE MESSAGE OF JOY (2:11-12)

What is the message of good news? Here it is (Luke 2:11). “Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” There is born a Savior. Mr, Angel, when was He born”? He has been born this day, today. The day of salvation is today. Mr Angel, where was He born? Why He has been born in David’s city, the little town of Bethlehem- “the house of Bread.” This is because He is the Bread of Life. Mr. Angel, who is He? He is the Savior because His name shall be called Jesus in English. In Greek His name is Iaesus. In Hebrew His name is Yoshua (Joshua). In every language, God is salvation. He is the Savior whose name is Jesus, who is the Christ, the Messiah. He is our Lord. He is the name above every name. It is at that name one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This will be to the glory of God the Father.

Shepherds, come on and do that right now. He ‘s waiting. He’s willing. He will receive your worship. More importantly, He will receive you. Mr. Angel, how will we find Him? Luke 2:12

Luke 2:12 CSB

This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

Shepherd dudes, I’m going to give you a sign and here it is. He will be wrapped in swaddling cloths (as is the Oriental custom. Babies born in feeding troughs is not a common occurence. This is the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah 7:14 CSB

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

We can experience joy this Christmas because of the message of Christmas: God desires to save sinful man by sending the sinless Savior.

PRINCIPLE #3: THERE IS JOY BECAUSE OF THE MARVELOUS GRACE OF JOY (2:13-14)

One angelic personage is amazing, but notice what the shepherds now have to observe (Luke 2:13

Luke 2:13 CSB

Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

There was one angel and now there is a multitude of the heavenly host. The term host was a term used to describe a military encampment. Here the reference is to an entire multitude of the heavenly angelic army of God. Why were they there and what were they doing?

They were giving praise to God for the first and true meaning of Christmas. May I just say to you that praise is the proper response not only of the heavenly host but also of sinful humanity. Notice that the message the angels brought to the shepherds and to the world was one of peace. The angels were not arrayed in battle formation. They were arrayed in worship formation. This truly was a message of joy. Now, it must be clear that the angels are not declaring a universal peace here. God’s peace is a gracious gift to those who are the objects of His divine favor.

What were the angels saying?

Luke 2:14 CSB

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

The angels were saying, “Give glory to God, from the highest point in heaven to the lowest valley of earth.” This is to be our response-joy. Joy is the response of genuine worship which is manifested in gratitude to God. We should possess the joy that Elizabeth had. We should possess the joy that Mary had. We should possess the joy the angels had and we should possess the joy the shepherds had.

Just as the shepherds ran with anticipation to worship the Messiah, Jesus the Christ, may we again this Christmas run to the glorified Christ. It is because of Christmas we can have joy.