Light Brings Joy Luke 2:8-20 is the account of the angels announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. In that day, shepherds were not thought of in a good light. Actually, the rabbis ranked them with prostitutes and other “habitual sinners”. They were considered outcasts. Yet, this is exactly who God chose first to hear about the birth of His Son, Jesus. “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.” They were there in the dark and then BOOM!, the sky lit up with the glory of the Lord from this angel. This glory is also spoken of with Abraham (Acts 7:2), Moses (Ex 31), the Tabernacle (Ex 40:34-35), and the dedication of Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 8:11). And now, after 500 years of Israel waiting for a visible sign of God’s presence among His people, this happens! The shepherds were terrified! The fear they felt is often a response to the overwhelming majesty of God, but it is accompanied by a profound joy at being in His presence. The angels themselves must have been amazed when they saw the Creator born as a creature, the Word coming as a speechless baby. 2 Cor 8:9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” He did this to be our deliverer and redeemer. The term Christ is Greek for “Anointed one”. Anointing was for special service like that of a priest or a king, but Jesus wasn’t simply “an” anointed, but “THE” anointed, the Messiah. And as “LORD”, He had absolute ownership and uncontested power over His creation. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Thousands of angels filled the sky and worshipped in front of these shepherds! They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. And then they told everyone they could about what they had witnessed, “And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God. Fear and joy were at the resurrection too. In Matthew 28:1-8, we see the account of the angel telling the women that Jesus had risen. “So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.” v8. Questions to Consider: What do Christmas lights make you think of? What joy from your past do lights bring up for you? Turn off all the lights in your house except the Christmas lights you have up and think about Jesus being the light of the world. Be careful to not get too familiar with the Luke 2 account. At some point this Christmas season, read Luke 2 in a translation that you are not accustomed to reading from and let the words speak to your mind and heart in a fresh way. Who or what are you afraid of? Do you spend too much time worrying about what has happened or what might happen? What or who we choose to fear will rob us of joy or bring us joy. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember to keep your mind on Jesus.