Christ Brings Joy Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:8-20

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people’” (Lk. 2:10, NASB).

In her book Let the Nations Dance, Dr. Pamela Hardy describes the people in the churches in Nicaragua as a people that have a sense of struggle to life. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Americas. This sense of struggle to life is because of a tension that exists in the people’s lives. They accept that life will always be as they are experiencing it now. At the same time the Spirit that lives in them tells them that there is more. Is it possible that the shepherds that Luke describe in Luke 2:8-20 have a similar experience? In this article I want to use the stories of the shepherds in Luke and the magi in Matthew to give us awareness that in Christ we can experience joy.

Before I begin with the stories, let us begin by giving a biblical definition of “joy.” The word “joy” is a noun, and it is translated from the Greek word “chara.” It means cheerfulness, calm delight, and gladness. Bible scholar W. E. Vine states that “joy is associated with life. Experiences of sorrow prepare for, and enlarge the capacity for joy.” Also, Vine writes, “persecution for Christ’s sake enhances joy” (W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, William White, Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words [Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1996], 335). Joy is a feeling of contentment and satisfaction that you are doing the right thing regardless of one’s life circumstances. We have joy when our faith in God leads us to believe God’s promises for a future with the Lord’s blessings. The worshippers in Nicaragua passionately worship the Lord even though they live in poverty. Now, let us look at the scriptures in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. We will begin with the passage found in Luke.

The Gospel of Luke gives us the only account of the shepherds that receive a visit from an angel from heaven. The Gospel of Luke is written to a predominately Gentile audience. The author is concerned that Gentiles and Jews that live on the margins of life know that God sends the Christ (Messiah) to all people regardless of their status and the circumstances in their life. The angel brings news of great joy for all people. Yet, these shepherds are Jews. However, we are reminded that shepherds are considered to be some of the worst people in society. They are largely despised by Jews of upright standing. The shepherds are similar to the people of Nicaragua described above in their struggle to Life. They are Jews that likely accept their life as it is. These Jews know that the prophets have foretold the coming of the Messiah that will radically change the lives of the Jewish people. When the Messiah comes He will free them from Roman rule. The Messiah will restore Israel to a right relationship with God, and Israel’s place of prominence in the world. The Messiah will heal their diseases and forgive their sins. At the present time they wish to see that day, but they really do not think that it will happen in their lifetime.

In this article our focus is on joy that all people can experience. It is important that we remember that joy is not determined by life situations and circumstances. The magi in the Gospel of Matthew experience joy because they believe that the “King of the Jews” will usher in the government and rule of God. We are not told much about their life experiences, but the story makes it clear that they are seeking something better in their lives.

The angel tells the shepherds that the Christ is born. On hearing this news their wishes turn to hope. They want to see this child born as the Christ. As stated in the definition above, their life of suffering poverty and rejection enables them to experience joy. They want to see the child that the angel tells them about. They hear the heavenly host glorifying and praising God. Now, they will experience peace. Peace means more than the absence of hostilities and wars among nations. Peace means that all is well in one’s life. Peace within us and with others begins with peace with God. The shepherds believe the angel’s message. Their faith moves them to leave the sheep in order to see the child. They believe, and they have peace with God (Rom. 5:1).

The angel does not tell the shepherds that they will get a new job. The angel does not promise that people will view them in a favorable manner. According to the text, the shepherds return to their jobs of watching over their sheep. According to the story as presented to us, the life of the shepherds does not change. Yet, these shepherds now experience joy. “The shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them” (Lk. 2:20, NASB). Did you get that? Let us look at verse twenty again. The shepherds are glorifying and praising God. They are experiencing joy. They are content, and they experience the joy that comes from knowing that their life has meaning, regardless of how people see them. This joy comes when they see that the angel’s words are true. They see the child, the Christ, and now their wishes turn to hope. Our faith and hope in God gives us joy.

Now, I want to address Vine’s definition of joy that is experienced by people that suffer for the sake of Christ. In the book of Philippines Paul writes to the church from prison. Paul encourages the church to continue in the work that they are called to do. Even though Paul is in prison, he still has joy because he knows that that the gospel is being preached and people from all walks of life are coming to the prison to hear him preach the gospel. Since Paul’s objective is to preach the gospel, he experiences joy while in prison because he knows that he is doing what God wants him to do. Although being in prison is not a pleasant experience Paul rejoices because he is still able to preach the gospel and souls are being saved from their sins.

We are in the Christmas season. Are you looking for happiness? Happiness is wanting what you have. If you could change anything in your life, what would you change? How would you change things? Joy is not changing your life. Joy is a change that comes to your life because you have a new relationship to God in Jesus Christ. You have a new attitude about yourself and your circumstances because you now know that your life is in Christ Jesus. I pray that you hear the words of the Lord. I pray that you believe that the child in the manger that the shepherds discover is the Christ child that grew to be the Christ man. He died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins to all that believe in Him. Those that believe in Him are given the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit living inside believers experience joy in all of life’s circumstances.