Rejoice in Christ the LORD
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And the angel said to (the shepherds), “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) What is this good news of great joy that the angel announced to the shepherds that night? And is it still available for us today?
A few weeks ago, Kim and I saw a commercial with a couple that buys Christmas gifts for each other. The first presents a set of watches and then the other presents two brand new vehicles in the driveway. Kim turns to me and says, “Who are these people that can do that?” To which I replied, “I guess the kind that can afford a house like that.” We laughed together while looking at the immaculate house behind the couple in the commercial. While I think we have something more humble in mind for each other this Christmas, we can relate to the commercial couple and their desire to bring cheer to each other. Don’t you think it’s innate in humans to want to experience and spread joy?
During the Christmas season, there are many offers from the world for what will bring the most joy to our lives. I’m thinking about the cars and houses we’ve had over the years. The joy in those things has been fleeting. The feel of buying a new car with a new warranty is exciting but soon wears off and eventually so does the warranty. Things like that remind us of our need for a deeper joy that outlasts the things that moths and rust can destroy. Over the years, I’ve come to find that human relationships offer immense joy in my life. But even human relationships can leave us longing as they are hampered by the seasons and stages of life. So where can you and I find the greatest joy in our lives?
The psalmist writes of great joy in Psalm 146. The psalmist speaks of joy that is deep in his soul. He describes a rejoicing so great that it will last all of his days and as long as he has being. That’s an extensive kind of joy! The psalmist goes on to state the reasons for his rejoicing are because of who the LORD is and what the LORD will do. He rejoices in Yahweh as his help and his hope. He goes on to describe Yahweh in amazing terms. To paraphrase the psalmist in verses 6 - 9, Yahweh is…
-creator
-promise keeper
-righteous judge
-provider
-rescuer
-healer
-encourager
-lover
-guide
-guardian
-idol-crusher.
Furthermore, the psalmist says that Yahweh will reign forever as God over all generations. The psalmist emphatically calls for people to rejoice in Yahweh because of these things.
As we celebrate the third week of Advent and meditate on the words of this psalm, we must remember the angel’s announcement to those shepherds on the night of the Christ child’s birth and the great joy that results from the good news of Emmanuel (God with us). Yahweh has kept His promise and made His dwelling among us to demonstrate His amazing love and radical desire for an eternal relationship with His people. As humans, we were made for Him with a yearning for deeper joy that will only find its completion in knowing and enjoying Him. There is no greater and lasting joy than that which is found in Jesus! This great joy is still available for all people! Those who’ve experienced it want to share it with others and are equipped by His Spirit to do so.
So what are you rejoicing in today? Blessed is the one whose help is the God of Jacob and whose hope is in the LORD their God. Let us find our ultimate joy in Jesus. May our souls know His love in such a way that we can’t stop praising Him will all our being for the rest of our days. May we enjoy Him and rejoice in His everlasting reign over all!
Grateful and hopeful in Christ,
Jon