Good News of Great Joy

The most wonderful time of year has begun! I know many are not seeing the Christmas season as wonderful as they did a few years ago. A lot has changed, and things will continue to change, but the Christmas season gives us a chance to reset our focus. One of my favorite parts of the Christmas story is when the angels appear to the shepherds; I love what they proclaimed.

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.

Luke 2:10-11 ESV

We have a Savior; His name is Jesus. We have hope; His name is Jesus. When things look bleak, we look to Jesus. When we feel hopeless, we can look to Jesus. Jesus stepped out of heaven and took on flesh to redeem His people from sin and death. When we are weary, like the song says, our weary hope rejoices.

Let the hope and joy of this season fill your heart. Let the story of our Savior’s first coming be at the front of your mind this month. Then, think about His second coming and the blessed hope of heaven. Read, reread, and think about Luke chapters one and two every day this month. Let the story of the birth of Jesus come alive in your heart.

Spend time thinking about the different facets of the story. Zechariah becomes mute, Elizabeth, an older woman becoming pregnant. Mary having a virgin birth, shepherds and wise men having angels tell them the news, and how God watched over His Word every step of the way to perform it. When you think about it, the Christmas story has several pieces to it, and they all offer us the hope of the Savior. So read the story, journal your thoughts, think deeply on the events, and let the Holy Spirit renew the good news of great joy in your life.