Dec 23 - The Joy of the Shepherds

The Joy of the Shepherds

Saturday, December 23, 2023

By: Andy Lambel

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”   Luke 2:8-11

This is a very familiar Scripture text to most of us.  It’s part of the narrative of the Christmas story as found in the Gospel of Luke.  The story that will be read in most churches on Christmas Eve.  It’s a story that’s so familiar to us that maybe we’ve lost our fascination with it.  So, I’m trying to read this with a different set of eyes than I normally would.  

I’m looking at the words “great joy,” and wondering what that might’ve felt like or looked like some 2,000 years ago when these angels appeared in the night sky to those shepherds.  

Before going on I wanted to know the definition of the word joy so here’s how Dictionary.com defines joy: “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation.”

I also found a Biblical definition of joy.  The Greek word for “joy” is chara.  Chara is Greek noun which describes a feeling of inner gladness, delight or rejoicing.  Joy is a feeling of inner gladness, delight or rejoicing.

So, with that in mind, let’s think about this “great joy” that the angels told the shepherds about.

I think we’re all searching for joy.  At least, I know I am.  And this time of the year marketing agencies try to capitalize on that.  Every technology ad promotes it, and Christmas business strategies rely on it: unshakeable, undiluted, undeniable joy.

Melani Pyke - Good News of Great Joy

Are you looking to receive joy this Christmas season?  Buy this subscription.  Do want to sleep better at night this Advent?  Buy our comfortable new luxury mattress.  Want to find fulfillment? Enjoy our half price meal deal at your favorite restaurant.  We’re inundated with aspirational images of a joy-filled individual.

Joy is an important theme throughout the Bible especially during Advent.  God makes it His priority to make it available to each of us.  Just like we would all rather hear a baby laugh instead of cry, God wants us to experience a deep rooted joy in our lives.

This is the message God sent to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-11.  The good news they heard was that Jesus is coming to redeem the restore the world.  God spoke to a group of men who needed joy, in a society where they were at the bottom of the totem pole, and completely disregarded by the culture as a whole.

Some of us are asking God to simply remove difficulty and trouble in our lives.  But Jesus offers you something better: His joy in the midst of it.

This Christmas substitute your contingent joy that dependent on circumstances with a courageous joy found in Christ.  Contingent joy depends on our external variables, but courageous joy makes us vulnerable and available to Jesus.

Take some time this Christmas and be like the shepherds.  Open yourself up to an interruption.  Open your ears to hear the word of the Lord: “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Let Jesus come close and bring you into His joy.

Advent Prayer by Henri Nouwen

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
    send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces 

    to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward 

    to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for 

    the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.