Joy To The World

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”

Luke 2:10

Understandably, the initial reaction of most people who encountered an angel in the Bible was fear (Matthew 28:5; Luke 1:13, 30; 2:10). Once the shock subsided, those who saw an angel usually received a message of comfort or assurance. In the case of the shepherds on the night of Christ’s birth, the angel’s message was one of “good tidings of great joy”—the message that “Christ the Lord” was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:10-11).

The great Christmas carol “Joy to the World” remains one of the most beloved hymns in the world. Angel ornaments are often placed at the very pinnacle of a Christmas tree to picture the angels who appeared in the sky above Bethlehem, announcing the joy that had come into the world that night. The joy that filled Bethlehem is the same joy that should fill our hearts this Christmas: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”

If you hang an angel ornament on your tree this year, be reminded of the joy the angels came to announce—and be a messenger, spreading that joy to others.

The King of Kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him.

WILLIAM DIX