Joy to the World

Luke 2:8-12 (NIV)
   ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Father, how strange it seems that such great joy of infinite and eternal value should be found in the lowly and unpleasant setting of an animal’s shelter. Far from the splendor of heaven’s glory is the Savior’s birth place, to be visited first by shepherds of humble state and vocation. How could the contrast be any greater than that God became man, the Sovereign took the form of a servant, and the King became a pauper. Though this baby became a man of sorrows he brought great joy to the world.

Father, through the gift of your Son, Jesus, all who believe in Him, have the joy of sins forgiven, the joy a relationship with you, and the joy which will have everlasting completion in your eternal presence. Truly, it is joy even beyond the world for it encompasses not just time but eternity.

 
Thank you Father that joy became incarnate in the birth of Your Son, which we celebrate every Christmas.  Indeed it is joy to the world!

Amen

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