Despite the hustle and bustle, I would say the majority of us look forward to the joy of the Christmas season. There is the delight of seeing someone unwrap a gift that you just know they will love. Grandparents and siblings are invited to Christmas school shows and nativity plays at church, and everyone smiles and laughs at the cuteness of it all. We worship with much loved carols and we all thoroughly enjoy the Christmas feast of turkey with all the fixings. Joy. A true component of Christmas. It was the same that first Christmas over 2000 years ago. There were many who rejoiced in the coming of God to the Earth as a baby. There were many who rejoiced in the fulfillment of prophecy, and many who just in their own personal relationship with God had the privilege to rejoice in the Good News. Here are just a few:
Elizabeth, Mary’s (mother of Jesus) aunt: “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!’” (Luke 1:39-45)
The shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’” (Luke 2:8-11)
Simeon: “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’” (Luke 2:25-32)
Anna, a prophetess: “There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
The coming of Jesus to the Earth as a baby was a great reason to rejoice 2000 years ago, and a great reason for us to rejoice today. God became man and dwelt among us. He lived and healed and preached and loved…and then He died on the cross to pay the cost of sin for each of us. He was crucified, died, was buried and was raised on the third day, having completed all that was required for us to be forgiven by Jesus taking our place; our punishment for sin.
We have so many reasons to have joy because of that first night, pierced by the crying of the Christ child and announced from the heavens by the angels.
Joy. True joy. The light of the world brings reason to rejoice this advent season.
Our song for today is Joyful Joyful by Casting Crowns.