"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people...And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.'" Luke 2:10, 16
Can you imagine these shepherds when the angel appeared? I wonder why God picked lowly shepherds? Maybe it is because He knew they would receive the good news and rush to see what God had done. Maybe it was to show His heart for the unseen and ordinary.
What an honor it was for them to be in the presence of The King! Their life was forever changed when they received the good news and went to welcome the Son of God. May we always run with haste to the invitations God gives us!
There is no greater joy than being in the presence of the Lord. What a gift that we now have His presence with us at all times. This world can be hard. Our only true hope is in Jesus and we find our peace, hope, and joy in Him. "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:8-9) Our greatest joy, even in heartache, is the promise of eternity. Jesus was, is, and ever will be our good news of great joy!
Oh Father, this Christmas I ask that You fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope! (Romans 15:13) AMEN!
Dig Deeper
John 16:24 |Romans 15:13 | Nehemiah 8:10