Good News Of Great Joy

Good News of Great Joy

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” . . .

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. . . .

The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Luke 2:8-11, 16-17, 20

Some people think anything having to do with God is very serious. If God has anything to do with it they assume it’ll be really boring and they won’t have any fun. But Jesus is not a bore or a burden; he’s not a drag or drudgery. Jesus is the greatest joy in the universe. He’s the best news anyone has ever heard.

That’s what the angel came to tell the shepherds who were taking care of their sheep on that dark night outside Bethlehem. Initially, instead of being excited, the shepherds were afraid—terrified, even. Evidently the angel was right there with them and radiated a bright light like they had never seen.

But the Good News of Jesus replaces our fear with joy. What is this Good News? “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today.” When they checked it out for themselves, the shepherds found that the angel had told them the truth, so they returned to their flocks, “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” They couldn’t keep what they had seen to themselves. They told everyone what happened. “And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them” (Luke 2:18). That word wondered means that the people who heard about it marveled—they were blown away. When we look for ourselves to see if the news we’ve heard about Jesus is really true, we get to experience that same joy and wonder.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

What do you think it would be like to see an angel?

What made the coming of Jesus such good news?

Why do you think it is sometimes hard to be filled with joy at the Good News of Jesus?