When Joy came

As I write this, it is Christmas Eve. And as I reflect on that first Christmas night, it’s hard to truly fathom. For it was on that day that joy truly did come to the world.

When the angel appeared to the shepherds, he said,

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 Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

As I read this, and think of the feelings of the shepherds, I think of the old carol that says,

Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til he appeared and the soul felt its worth.

Ever since Adam and Eve first sinned in the garden, the world had lived under the shadow of death. We were dying because of our sin. Without hope, and without God in the world.

And particularly for Israel at that time, they may have started to wonder if God had abandoned them. Though God had appeared to their forefathers and revealed himself to them, they hadn’t heard from him for 400 years.

But then, for the first time in centuries, God spoke, and said, “I am here.”

Literally. “Emmanuel” had come. And by his birth he said, “I not only care about you, but I have come to walk among you. To be a light in your darkness. To bring you hope. To bring you salvation.”

And when he sent angels to announce this, he didn’t send them to the priests who were supposed to be closest to God. Nor did he send them to the teachers of the law or any of the “religious” folk.

He came to ordinary folk. To shepherds. People, who in those days, were despised among the general Jewish population.

And by coming to them, God let them know that he truly had come for everyone. That this good news was truly for all people from the greatest to the least.

And because he came, the barrier between God and man came crumbling down. Peace between God and man became possible.

Not because of anything we had done. But because of what Jesus did, not on that Christmas night, but on the cross years later, when the curtain that stood between God and us was torn in two forever.

I pray that you may know that peace this Christmas. And may the joy the shepherds felt that night, fill your heart as well.

Joy to the World! The Lord is come!