“8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-12, NIV).
There is something magical that happens for most children when Christmas time comes around. Maybe it is the festive and colorful lights that glow in the darkness. Maybe it is the smell of a freshly cut pine tree. It could be the smell of our favorite foods enjoyed around the table with family. There is also the anticipation of gift giving and receiving. No matter what nostalgic memory triggers the feeling of joy, as we get older and as memories fade, joy seems more difficult to come by. If you can relate to the last sentence, I bring good news. The Jewish people of Jesus’ day found themselves in a time and place where joy was difficult to come by. Life in first-century Palestine was hard! Making life even more difficult was the oppression the Jewish people found themselves living under the might of the Roman empire. It was right at this time that God breaks into the darkness of night and the oppression of Rome and brings a message of joy!
This joy was announced to the most unlikely people – shepherds. Shepherds were not held in high esteem. These ordinary people, going about the ordinary business of shepherding, were the first citizens to be recipients of “good news”. Not only did they receive this extraordinary news, they also received the news from heavenly beings! Angels reflected the glory of God and broke through the cold darkness and of night. It is unlikely that the shepherds woke up that morning knowing that they would experience a one-of-a-kind message that would change the course of humanity.
In this glorious message was the assurance of joy! This joy was not to be limited to the listeners of the message; this joy was intended for all of humanity. Just as the unexpected message of joy was given to the shepherds, joy would be delivered in a most unexpected package – a baby boy. All of this was totally unanticipated. This is the nature of joy in that it can spring upon the recipient with no warning.
In his autobiography “Surprised by Joy,” C.S. Lewis writes of his journey where God moved Lewis from a cold, rational skeptic to a joyful Christian. This all happened to Lewis because he stopped looking at the misery of his younger life and began gazing in awe at the goodness of God. Changing his focus, Lewis finally surrendered to this Jesus and found a life of joy.
We seem to be living in a day where joy is difficult to find, and anxiety and nihilism are ruling the day. Much of this is rooted in the negative things that we have faced in our life, yet God calls us to put our eyes on Him. Whether in the life of C.S. Lewis or the shepherds in the first century, joy can come in the most unexpected ways when we finally recognize that God’s Kingdom continues to break into earth. The birth of Jesus is a reminder that joy continues to break through the cold darkness of life and shines the warm light of redemption and salvation upon our souls and the world. Hebrews 12:1-3 sums up this entire message:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
May you find the joy of the shepherds this Christmas season as you take your eyes off of the world and fix them on Jesus! Amen!
