The Great Joy Born for All People

Summary

On this Christmas Sunday the preacher opened with the angel's announcement in Luke 2: do not be afraid, for I bring you good news of great joy for all people, because to you is born a Savior, Christ the Lord. He stressed that this joy belongs to every nation and not only to Israel, yet not everyone receives it. Seven hundred years earlier Isaiah had foretold the same child - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace - and the angel simply added one word, today, to show that the long-awaited promise had finally come.

The message then turned to Mary, greeted by the angel as the favored one, full of grace. God's favor, the preacher explained, is not a comfortable present but a costly calling. Young and bewildered, Mary still trusted and obeyed, even though grace led her to a manger, a flight to Egypt, and at last to the foot of the cross. Like Joseph in Egypt or the three men in the furnace, she learned that God's grace often rests on us in hardship rather than in ease.

For a mature believer, the preacher said, the joy of Christmas is a decision, not a matter of presents. The greatest gift is Jesus Himself, the Son God did not spare, who finished our redemption on the cross. To receive Him as Lord and treasure His word in the heart is to carry Christmas joy all year long.

Key Points

• The angel's great joy is for all peoples, yet each person must personally choose to receive it.
• Isaiah foretold Christ 700 years early; the angel added only the word today to show the promise had arrived.
• God's favor on Mary was a costly calling, not an easy reward.
• True Christmas joy is a decision to glorify God, not a reaction to the gifts we receive.
• Treasure God's word in your heart in good times so it sustains you in the hard ones.
• God who did not spare His own Son will not withhold anything we truly need.
• On the cross Jesus said it is finished; our redemption was paid in full, leaving nothing owed.