Mega Christmas Joy!

-We don’t read any more about these shepherds in the Bible, although I would imagine that some of them probably ended up among His followers 30 years later. When Jesus began to teach, preach, and heal the sick, some of these shepherds could very well have followed Him, remembering the night the angels appeared and put on the light show.

3. The Joy of Sharing about the Lord

Luke 2:17-18a 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

-They were so impacted by their encounter with the angel of the Lord and the message they had heard, and the baby they had visited, that they couldn’t keep it to themselves. They had to tell their friends and family about it.

-When we receive the good news about Jesus, and begin to know the Joy of salvation, the joy of being forgiven, that is a motivator for us to share what we’ve received with others. And as we share we find more joy as others come to know Him.

4. The Joy of Worshiping the Lord

Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

-I’m pretty sure they didn’t sleep that night. Maybe 1 of them got out a harp like King David the shepherd King who guarded sheep in the same area. They praised God and gave Him glory for noticing them and including them in the birth announcement of the Messiah.

-Today, there is still a joy to be found that rises above the stress and disappointments of a so-called bad day. There is a joy that comes from hearing from the Lord, that He loved us enough to come the first time and die as the sacrifice for our sins. There is a joy that comes from encountering the living God when we call on Him in faith, asking Him to forgive us and include us in His family. This joy is something that wells up within us, that we will want to share with those around us! This joy overflows into praise and worship as we glorify the Lord and thank Him for giving us the greatest gift we could ever receive – life with Him that goes on forever!

-"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people…. a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

-Is He your Savior? Have you received Him as your Lord? He is the promised Messiah, God made flesh who lived among men, and died at their hands, so that we could do life with Him forever. He is here today and wants to turn your mourning into dancing, your sorrow into joy, your darkness into light, your failure into victory. Will you say Yes to Him?