Chapters 1 &2 of Luke are full of joy. The words "joy" and "rejoice" and "praise" are found there many times. It's infectious, really! I can't help but rejoice as I read it! The joy begins with the Angel Gabriel's visit to Zechariah when he tells him that he will have a son with his wife Elizabeth and that Zechariah 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 people for the coming of the Lord."
After Gabriel visits Mary to tell her of Jesus' coming, she goes to visit Elizabeth, who "gave a glad cry" upon seeing her and says that at the sound of Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb "jumped for joy." Mary responds with a joyful song of praise to God saying that her "spirit rejoices in God [her] saviour."
When John (Zechariah's son) is born to Elizabeth, the whole town rejoices for they know he is special. Zechariah's prophecy about his son shows that his great joy for his son in rooted in what he will do: prepare the way for the Lord, and tell his people how to find salvation.
On the night of Jesus' birth, an Angel brought "good news that will bring great joy to all people" to the shepherds and a vast heavenly host joined the rejoicing. It was a contagious joy that spurred the shepherds out of their field and into Bethlehem to see and tell of the Saviour's birth.
All the joy in these two chapters is in the telling of the saviour's coming. Zechariah and Elizabeth were joyful over their son because he was born to be the prepare the way of the Lord. Unborn baby John was joyful at the presence of unborn baby Jesus. The armies of Heaven rejoiced and praised God as they told the Good News. The shepherds joyfully spread the word of the Christ-child.
It is with great joy in our hearts that we now tell you:
Jesus is born! The Messiah is here!
He has brought salvation to all who believe in Him, his life, death and resurrection. Furthermore, He is coming again. We joyfully tell while we wait.
Merry Christmas,
Chanelle
