Good News, Great Joy

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

Luke 2:10

I love the Christmas season! Don’t you?

I love the anticipation on my girls’ faces and in their hearts . . .

I love the smell of our Christmas tree . . .

I love the mess (did I say that?) . . .

I love the extended family time . . .

I love planning gift giving (my primary love language) . . .

I love the food (of course) . . .

I love looking at all the lights and displays with our girls . . .

And I love that for a period of time, in the midst of hyper-consumerism, secularism, a man in a red suit being transported by reindeer, and a world full of pain, heartache, challenge, and adversity, we get to exalt the name of Jesus. We get to declare to the world good news for all people.

So in the rush of the season, remember the heart of today’s verse: Our message is good news! Our message brings great joy! Our message is for all people. Let’s determine that to keep a joyful spirit at Christmas, we won’t get cynical or judgmental, but we will actually live and look like people with good news to tell! We’ll invite everyone—and never exclude anyone—to our table.

God, thank You for the gift of Your Son and the good news. Thank You for filling my heart with Your Spirit’s joy, so I can share it with all people.