THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)
FEAR NOT: MEGA JOY
A blacksmith is in his shop, hammering a hot horseshoe. After the cherry glow fades from the horseshoe, he sets it on the anvil to cool. Just then, a customer walks in, and, while waiting for the blacksmith to greet him, he picks up the freshly worked horseshoe. The customer immediately throws the horseshoe down with a yelp. Amused, the blacksmith grins and asks the customer “Hot, isn’t it?” The customer replies “Naw, it just doesn’t take me very long to look at a horseshoe.”
It didn’t take long for the shepherds in Luke 2 to go from great fear to great joy. The angels reassure them that they don’t have to be afraid because they have good news that will lead to great joy. The Greek word here for “great” is “mega” which means exceedingly, large, loud and mighty. It’s a superlative of greatest degree. Wycliffe translates it this way: “I evangelize to you a great joy.”
When you read Luke chapter 2, what is the message of great joy? When you think about this Christmas season for you, does “joy” best describe what you are experiencing? How can a focus on Jesus birth affect your joy this Christmas season?
