The Gospel of Great Joy

When our first born arrived, I was so excited that I wanted to tell everyone about her birth. Well, almost everyone for I was very selective as to who I told the good news. I only told those who I thought I would appreciate it and enter into my joy! Now, you would think that when the Messiah was born that the first to hear the good news would be the king or prominent people in society. But instead the news was first shared with shepherds tending the sacrificial lambs. They were the first to hear the 'good tidings of great joy' which is for all people. They were to rejoice because a grand PROMISE had been kept. The One promised long ago has been 'born'! They were to rejoice because a Great Need had been met. Our need of salvation, the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with God is now possible. The Savior, Christ the Lord, has been born. They were to rejoice because a Glorious Discovery will be made. They will find the babe in Bethlehem. But to experience the fullness of joy the had to Come and See for themselves. And when they did, they shared the good news with others around them and worshiped and praised God continually. The experience of coming, seeing for themselves, and embracing the One who would be the savior of the world forever changed the lives of these shepherds. And so it is for us who come, who embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord, we too are changed and cannot helps but share the gospel of Great Joy, worshiping and praising God for the gift of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ!