Great Joy
Luke 1 & 2 (select verses)
The children’s Christmas pageant is one of my favorite aspects of the holiday season. I’m always amazed by the creativity of ministry directors as they present the Christmas story each year. Jesus, God’s beloved Son, came to earth as an infant to redeem sinners like you and me. This message brings great joy!
Join me in reflecting on three scenes from chapters one and two of Luke’s Gospel.
Angel in Jerusalem | Prepare people for the Lord’s coming
Luke 1:11-17
The Messenger: An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah while ministering at the incense altar. (Luke 1:11)
The Response: Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear. (Luke 1:12)
The Message: “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son; you are to name him John.” (Luke 1:13)
The Result: You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord … He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. (Luke 1:14-15, 17)
Angel in Nazareth | Rejoice in God
Luke 1:26-33, 46-55
The Messenger: God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. (Luke 1:26-27)
The Response: Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. (Luke 1:29)
The Message: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. (Luke 1:32-33)
The Result: Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior! (Luke 1:46-47)
Angel in Bethlehem | Great joy to all people
Luke 2:8-15
The Messenger: An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds who were watching over their sheep at night. (Luke 2:8)
The Response: They were terrified because the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. (Luke 2:9)
The Message: “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! (Luke 2:10-11)
The Result: When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15)
Embrace Truth | Head to Heart
Establish a habit during this Christmas season. Find one or two people each day to share and exclaim the joy of the season—the birth of Jesus. And tell them, “Merry Christmas!”
Reflect and meditate on these words from Mary’s Song of Praise (Luke 1:46-55).
Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior!
For the Mighty One is holy, and He has done great things for me.- Luke 1:46-47
He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear Him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!- Luke 1:50-51
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