Tucked in the story of Christ’s birth is an important truth about joy.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock

by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around

them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring

you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of

David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-11)

The shepherds hurriedly found Mary and Joseph and the baby. And when they had seen Him, they

made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it

marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds... Then the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen (Luke 2:16-18,20).

The shepherds were the first evangelists. They didn’t worry what people may or may not have thought

about their position in society. They didn’t care how it sounded. They just told the exciting news far and

wide.

Joy does that. When we are filled with joy, we don’t care what people think of us or how we sound. We

don’t mind if things are a little messy. The joy just spills out.

Around us there are people who may never experience the abiding joy that Jesus offers. They are

seeking joy, but they don’t know the Joy-Giver.

Instead of sharing the Good News, we stay silent because we worry how we will sound or because their

lives are messy. We keep the news to ourselves and, in doing so, we don’t experience joy to the fullest

level possible.

1 John 1:3-4 explains how joy is magnified when we share eternal life through Jesus: We proclaim to

you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is

with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

The Good News is meant to be shared. It’s the BEST NEWS EVER! Sharing it with someone only makes

our joy stronger. No wonder the shepherds glorified and praised God for everything they had seen and

heard!

The Christmas angels brought good tidings of great joy which is for all people. Make widely known what

has been said to you about the Child. Make your joy complete.

By LaRaine Rice