CHRISTMAS CHEER

Lk.2:10,11 – And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”.

If you follow the words of the angel closely you will see the amazing power of his words. The angel said “I bring you good news of great joy”. This was not just ordinary everyday joy, this was great joy infused with supernatural power. The news itself, whether it was in the singing or the proclamation, carried the very joy of heaven. This heavenly joy is impossible to exaggerate. Why would I say that? The realm of heaven is different from the natural realm, the joy of heaven is different from earthly joy. Earthly joy is based on earthly things which are temporary at best. Heavenly joy is unlimited, infused with the infinite nature of God Himself. In other words this joy that the angels speak of is the joy of the Lord. Here is how Charles Spurgeon describes this angelic message.

“The joy which this first gospel preacher spoke of was no mean one, for he said, “I bring you good tidings”—that alone were joy: and not good tidings of joy only, but “good tidings of great joy.” Every word is emphatic, as if to show that the gospel is above all things intended to promote, and will most abundantly create the greatest possible joy in the human heart wherever it is received. Man is like a harp unstrung, and the music of his soul’s living strings is discordant, his whole nature wails with sorrow; but the son of David, that mighty harper, has come to restore the harmony of humanity, and where his gracious fingers move among the strings, the touch of the fingers of an incarnate God brings forth music sweet as that of the spheres, and melody rich as a seraph’s canticle. Would God that all men felt that divine hand.”

I love this, our fallen nature has caused us to fall out of harmony with heaven, Christ has come to put our lives back into this heavenly harmony which is characterized by heavenly joy. This is quite different from anything you may have tasted before, this is the very atmosphere of heaven that these angels came to announce. Christ is born in Bethlehem, He has brought His joy to the earth.