The Joy of Christmas

Luke 2:8-20

One aspect of becoming like Christ in this life is joy.

Jesus’ joy is a powerful infusion of energy, motivation, and determination to do and to be who God says we are.

The biblical definition of joy is a deep, lasting spiritual gladness distinct from temporary happiness. But joy stems from an intimate relationship with God.

The joy of Christmas comes from the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)

Christ is God, bringing us His joy that comes from a salvation relationship with Him that grows through spiritual maturity, which we are calling becoming like Christ in this life.

As I admitted last Sunday that I had it wrong about the truth about Christmas, I also had it wrong about the joy of Christmas.

The truth about Christmas is the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us to be saved. Divinity enters humanity.

Now the joy of Christmas is not about the stuff and things we may receive, but receiving Jesus as our Savior into our hearts and the intimate fellowship Christ alone brings.

When Jesus evacuated eternity and entered time, he did not enter empty-handed, but he gave His joy to the joyless.

Jesus is the joy of Christmas!
  1. Christmas is joy to the least, lost, and left out - vs. 8-10
  2. Joy is God wrapped in human flesh - vs. 11-12
  3. Our response to the joy of Christmas is to praise God -vs. 13-14

Many of us are looking for love and fulfillment in the wrong place.

We make the mistake of relying on the things of this world to make us happy, and it may do that, but it is temporary.

God gives us events in this life to remind us why we are to express the joy of just knowing Jesus as Savior. Christmas is the event.
 
  1. Christmas is joy to the least, lost, and left out - vs. 8-10

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.”

  1. The message of joy was sent to those who had no joy.
  2. The shepherds were the outcasts of society.
  • They lived with the sheep, were often dirty, and were not welcomed by society.
  • Hated by people but loved by God

“And lo the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid.”

  1. The assignment of the angel was to go to the ones first who had no joy.
  2. They were nobody in the eyes of man, but they were somebody in the eyes of God.
  • The glory of the Lord is the very presence of Jehovah Himself.

“And the angel said unto them fear not for behold I bring you good tiding of great joy which shall be to all people.”

  1. God knew that the shepherds needed something that the sheep or no one else could provide.
  2. The good news of great joy
  • Not just some joy but great joy, abundant, overflowing joy.
  • This joy is for all people, black, white, poor, and rich.
  • This joy is free to all who will receive him.
 
  1. The Joy is wrapped in human flesh - vs. 11-12

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord."

  1. The good news of joy is a baby being born in the city of David.
  2. The Joy is the Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 
  • The joy of Christmas is that the Savior is born.
  • The Joy is Christ, Messiah, King of kings.
  • The joy of Christmas is the Lord, Adonai, Creator, and ruler of the whole world.

“And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.” 

  1. Joy was not found in the palace nor in the temple in Jerusalem.
  • Joy is not found in luxurious places.
  • Joy is not found in religious places.
  1. Joy was wrapped in rags, lying in a feeding trough.
The joy of Christmas is not found in God’s creation, but in God Himself.

God did not wrap himself in beautiful wrapping paper, but God wrapped himself in human flesh! 

The joy of Christ is Emmanuel, God with us, and God in us, and God for us!

Don’t worry about what you don’t have, but rejoice in Who has you!
 
  1. Our response to the Joy of Christmas is to praise God - vs. 13-14

“And suddenly there was with angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

  1. The angel’s response to Christmas is to praise God.
  • Knowing these angels are non-redeemable, in other words, when they mess up, there is no second chance. 
  • They cannot be saved, but still they praise God for Jesus.
  1. The angel who made the announcement, but the presence of Jesus drew a multitude of the heavenly host.
  • They left heaven and came to earth to praise God for Jesus.
  1. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
  • We ought to praise God because Christmas brings peace. Not just any peace, but peace that surpasses all understanding.
  1. Peace of God
  2. Peace with God
  3. Peace from God
  • Praise God for goodwill toward men, suggesting God’s favor because of Jesus.
Well, those are angels praising God for Christmas; remember, they don’t get a second chance like you and I.

But the shepherd, the lonely, the least, and the left-out response to Christmas is joyful praise
 

Vs. 20, “And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told unto them.”