Something tremendous, something incredible, something important and wonderful happened 2,000 years ago. A child was born in Bethlehem, and with this child joy was born.
Luke 2: 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
This marks a complete change, a turning point for everything. History was going a certain direction, but with this event things changed. It was to shepherds in the field that the first message of the gospel was preached. It was not by man but a heavenly messenger. The message speaks to the depths of our soul.
There was not much then, as is now, to be happy about. Nationally things were bad. Taxes were great. They were under the dominion of the Roman Empire. Many search for joy today. We live in a hopeless, sad, and scary time. Every service we meet someone could burst through the doors and kill us all. While we live in dangerous times, we also live in uncertain times. We don’t know what’s ahead. The only one who knows is God. Humanity is but a speck in the universe, but humanity is who God sent his son to this earth for. Much of the hopelessness has been brought on by us. It is the result of the fallen nature of man. Birds still sing as they should. Nature does what it is supposed to do. Nature did not sin. Man did. We are responsible, and if we need anything, we need a Savior. This is why Jesus came. Even if people don’t receive him, they have a Savior. In the years since I’ve been a Christian, the old nature still likes to reject him and be cynical toward God. In spite of all this, he still came. He did so as a vulnerable human being coming to a stable and being placed in a manger. He was wide open to whoever wanted to come and do him harm. God placed him in these conditions to give us a Savior and bless us with a fellowship that drive out loneliness—it is called joy.
Verse 9 says the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. He said don’t be afraid. Fear not. The first thing to happen with his coming was the removal of fear. It was replaced with joy. We need to see ourselves as we are and see him as he is and receive him. It was good news for all. He said I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. When we experience Jesus, we receive joy. It’s more than an outward happiness. It is an inward peace and state of being, happiness in and with yourself. And it is in spite of what goes on around you. When you cannot find the ability to smile, with Jesus you can still have joy. It will help you keep from giving up. Remember that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.
He said fear not. Behold. Take a good look! I bring you good tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Don’t look at the birth of Jesus as something in the past. We know in our hearts it happened. Yes. It happened in the past, but the angel used IS born this day. We called on his name, and we know he IS there. We can talk about today in a general manner, but it is this day we have a Savior. We have the ability to comprehend the truth of this. Today is our gift. We have it. We don’t know about tomorrow’s.
Who was born? A Savior. For whom? Unto you. Unto me. That means someone came to rescue us. Who? He is the Christ—the anointed Messiah. He didn’t come to learn how to be our Savior. He came already qualified and authorized to be Savior. It didn’t take 33 years for him to learn. He was born with the ability as a child. He was born the Christ. We have one who knows how to do what is needed.
Do you have full control over your life? Of course not. The more we live, the more we realize how sinful we are and in need of help. Jesus came to meet that need. A Savior is born. He is Christ. He is the Lord. Imagine God as a small newborn in the worst of circumstances. This baby was God in the flesh. If he had not been God in the flesh, the only begotten Son of God, he could not have done what was needed. Because He is Christ the Lord he can save us. He can release us from our sins. With Jesus we have joy, the joy we lost as children when we became accountable for our sins. Believing in Jesus brings back that joy. It’s a personal impact that shall be to all people. That means to you and to me. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The message was for us. Jesus came for us.
Of course, he was talking to the shepherds, but the tidings were for all people. Can we believe that? Yes! Why? It is not me saying this. The messenger was a heavenly one, an angel of God. He brought the first Christmas message. If you can’t believe this messenger, I feel sorry for you.
When it’s all said and done, the Lord will descend from heaven with the shout of the arch angel. The first was given by an angel, and the last message will be as well. We’re in between the first and last message. Be a believer and have joy. Only by being a child of God through faith in Jesus will you find joy. Search for him. You will find him and with it joy for your heart and soul.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 