A Journey of Joy

Luke 2:8-20 ... And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.  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.  And this will be a sign for you:  you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly host praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”  When the angels went away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger.  And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this Child.  And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.  But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

A message of joy drove the shepherds’ FEAR away … We can EXPERIENCE the same as we live in the Good News

1.  Joy and pain CO-EXIST. 

James 1:2-4 ... Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

2.  Joy brings CONNECTION with others

Psalm 96:11-13 ... Let the Heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;  let the sea roar, and all that fills it;  let the field exult, and everything in it!  Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for He comes, for He comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in His faithfulness.

3.  Joy leads us to WORSHIP

1st Peter 1:8-9 ... Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.  Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

CHALLENGE:  Thank someone for the JOY they bring to your LIFE