“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10
The joy that filled my heart at the births of my five children was indescribable. I never thought that joy could be surpassed until I held my precious grandsons for the first time. With those experiences, perhaps I have experienced a snippet of the joy unspeakable and full of glory that Peter spoke of when speaking of Christ who has provided all that we need. (1 Peter 1:3-9)
No doubt about it, the birth of a newborn child brings great joy. The love and adoration of an infant comes naturally so when Jesus was born in Bethlehem He brought great joy to his parents, the angels, and the shepherds. The angel proclaimed the good news of great joy “which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10) The immediate joy experienced by those that were blessed to visit Him that day is not the only joy that the Heavenly Father intended to be experienced.
The good news of great joy was meant for all people (me, you, and all of mankind.) That eternal joy was not just about Jesus as a baby boy but about the Savior of the world. Joy comes by accepting and knowing Him personally and is one fruit of the Spirit that we gain upon receiving Him. Joy and peace are also experienced when God answers prayers and we recognize the gifts that He has bestowed upon us.
The angels, shepherds, and wisemen shared their joy with others by praising and glorifying God. A tongue of praise reveals a heart of joy. Without joy down in your heart, it is difficult to praise the Lord. David proclaimed in his psalm that fullness of joy comes by being in the presence of the Heavenly Father. If your cup of joy needs filled, draw nearer to Jesus, the Savior, who loves and cares deeply for you.
“…in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11b
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending Your Son to be born of a virgin for me and the world. There was such joy and excitement for those who accepted Jesus as the promised One. I choose to express my joy and to praise You because I have accepted Jesus and have experienced hope and comfort from You amid many hardships. It is hard to express the joy that floods my soul when I think of all that You have done for me and my loved ones. Help me to reflect and to keep my eyes on You and not the things that may disappoint and try to steal my joy. I love You and choose to draw closer and closer to You. In Jesus’ name I pray - Amen
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