Sermon snippet – Joy at Christmas
INTRODUCTION – We continue in our Hallmark Channel series of Christmas messages. Today, we will focus on joy, an emotion that is stronger than happiness because it is settled and certain. In fact, it is more than a feeling, more than an emotional response; it is the reality of God’s goodness breaking into our lives.
- REAL JOY SPREADS
Of course, negative things can spread, too; hatred and violence come quickly to mind. Last week, when we considered love at Christmas, we studied Zecharias and Elisabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, the predicted forerunner of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 17:10-13). Loyal love abounded, as did joy (Luke 1:14). Note the progression from the parents to the “many.” Joy should be shared! Note also the words of the angel Gabriel in verse 19; he has the joyful opportunity to show “these glad tidings.” Furthermore, note verse 44, which tells us that the unborn John the Baptist – yes, a full person while in the womb – responded to the news of Jesus Christ’s impending birth by leaping with joy. This real joy is powerful, and the darkness of a killjoy cosmos cannot cover it.
- REAL JOY CAN BE EXPRESSED DIFFERENTLY
Right here in Luke 1:46-55, Mary speaks openly, quoting the Old Testament fifteen times; the structure of her words indicates that she was singing a song of her own composition. We may not have that gift of musical composition (or even of a good singing voice), but we can “sing for joy” (Psalm 67:4). In Luke 2:8-20, we hear the angel delivering “good tidings of great joy” (verse 10). As we have already stated, real joy spreads: “a multitude” of angels (verse 13) join in the joy, as do the shepherds (verses 17-18, 20). Those shepherds were openly vocal about the source of their joy, and this response is certainly compelling and challenges each of us to speak forth our joy. However, we can contrast their overt enthusiasm with the quiet joy of Mary (verse 19). Previously she had burst into song, but that was with her cousin Elisabeth. As a woman in that culture, she did not feel comfortable rejoicing in public, especially before men that she did not know. Still, the glow of her joy is palpable in this brief verse. Our joy can be demonstrated in a number of ways (for me, for example, humor is a vehicle of joy). Some folks are exuberant; others are more reticent. Our different expressions of rejoicing illustrate the pervasive power of real joy.
- REAL JOY IS AVAILABLE TO ALL PEOPLE
Such is the message of the angel in Luke 2:10. The inclusion of the shepherds, who were looked down upon by most of their Jewish brethren, is a sterling example of the truth that God’s real joy is available to all. Another is found in Matthew 2:10, when the wisemen come to see the baby Jesus. These men were non-Jewish, what we often call Gentiles. Since most of us fall into this category, we are assured by this account of the magi that the promise of “great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10), is extended to us, to each one of us.
CONCLUSION – Jesus wants us to have His joy. Will you trust in Him today for eternal salvation and enter into His everlasting joy? If you do, you will know the joy of that first Christmas. May each of us spread this joy each day.