“An
angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do
not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the
people." Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is
Christ, the Lord.”
Luke 2:9-11
I love the
image that this scene in Luke's gospel brings to mind. Shepherds doing their
nightly job of tending the sheep, when suddenly the sky is bright as daylight
as God's glory shines and His angel appears. I imagine their great surprise and
then immediate fear. But the angel of the Lord reassures them: “Do not
be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the
people."
During Advent
we celebrate with joy Christ’s first coming – His coming
in the flesh to walk and live among us. During Advent we also look forward with
joy anticipating Christ’s second coming, “looking forward to [the promised] new heaven and new earth, the
home of righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13)
Advent is a journey to joy, but it is not we who are traveling. Joy is coming to us. ~ John Piper
At Christmas we are reminded that joy has come
to us in human form. Joy has come to us to be our salvation, “You are to
give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
(Matthew 1:21) We join with those who witnessed His first arrival. We
respond with joy as they did:
Mary’s response to having been chosen to bear
God’s child: “And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit
rejoices in God my Savior” Luke 1:46-47
The Magi: “When they saw the star, they were
overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and
they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and
presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11
The Angels: “Suddenly a great company of the
heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to
God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor
rests.” Luke 2:14
"Good news that will cause great joy for all the people!"
A Savior has been born! Jesus, the one who
would save people from their sins has come to earth. Emmanuel has come – God is with us. This is the Good News we still celebrate! Joy is at the heart of the life of the Christ-follower,
for joy is our response to God’s gracious gift of salvation through His Son
Jesus Christ.
"Those who have been ransomed by
the Lord will return.
They will enter
Jerusalem singing,
crowned with everlasting
joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear,
and they will be filled
with joy and gladness."
Isaiah 35:10
(NLT)
This week allow the journey of Advent to remind
you of your joy in God’s gifts of grace, love and salvation given us through
His Son Jesus Christ. And anticipate the joy we have to look forward to when He
comes again.
Share you responses on Instagram using #adventwords2020 or in the Words Art & Faith Challenge group on Facebook.
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