Good News of Great Joy: Luke 2:8-14

Advent Week 4

When major interruptions occur in our lives, sometimes they are bad news and sometimes they are great news. The birth of a child is the kind of major interruption that is welcome and should lead to rejoicing. As grandparents, we are excited about this news. As parents, we know it will radically change our schedule and plans, but it comes with joy. Even with the anticipated arrival, we are never sure exactly when the child will come, so the full rejoicing doesn’t happen until the moment of birth.

Scripture has communicated from the beginning that a Messiah was coming. The timing of the Messiah’s arrival was a mystery yet to be revealed until the night Mary gave birth to our King. The shepherds in the field found their night interrupted in a rather unsettling way. It probably felt like it was going to be any other night watching over their flock, but suddenly the night was invaded by the glory of the Lord that shone around the angel standing before them.

The birth of a child is a day for rejoicing, but the birth of the Child, the Savior, the Messiah, the Lord, as Luke records for us, is a day of cosmic rejoicing. Luke records that one angel was joined by a multitude of heavenly hosts singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to the people he favors!”

The birth of a child is a day for rejoicing, but the birth of the Child, the Savior, the Messiah, the Lord, as Luke records for us, is a day of cosmic rejoicing.

You may have heard some great choirs in your life, but that night featured a choir like no other. What an interruption that night was: the presence of an angel, the presence of a heavenly choir, and the announcement of the long-awaited Savior of the world!

The best part was that this was not an announcement about an unapproachable king, but one that the shepherds were invited to seek out. This season is the time for us to remember that God was faithful to his promise and that the Messiah should be sought after diligently by all of us. Do not let the story grow old, but let the picture of that incredible interruption remind you of what we celebrate this season: good news of great joy because our Savior, King Jesus, was born to rescue and redeem us. Come, worship him!

Prayer by Kimberly Rochelle

Heavenly Father, thank you for the good news of the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ! We are grateful for your redeeming plan of sending a Savior into the world to reconcile sinful man to yourself.

Through him, there is hope, joy, peace, and salvation for all who believe in his name.

Father, we give you the highest praise for your great love for all mankind and for the best gift of all at Christmas!