In yesterday's posting we looked at the concept of JOY seen all throughout the Christmas carols we sing each year during the holiday season. Today let's notice how we see JOY throughout the people in the Christmas story!
Zacharias - In Luke 1:14, when the angel tells Zacharias that his wife, Elizabeth, was going to give birth in her old age to John the Baptist who would be the forerunner of the Messiah, the angel said, "You will have JOY and GLADNESS, and many will REJOICE at his birth."
Mary - In Luke 1:47, after the angel had announced to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus, the Messiah, she said, "My soul exults the Lord, and my spirit has REJOICED in God my Savior."
Mary's Neighbors and Relatives- Speaking of Mary's neighbors and relatives, Luke 1:58 says, "Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were REJOICING with her."
The Angel - In Luke 2:10, the Angel announced to the shepherds, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great JOY which shall be for all people."
The Shepherds - In Luke 2:20, after finding and worshipping the Christ Child, the Bible says, "The shepherds went back GLORIFYING and PRAISING God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them."
The Magi - When the Magi left Herod's palace and started toward Bethlehem, the star they had seen signifying the birth of a King reappeared. Matthew 2:10 says, "When they saw the star, they REJOICED exceedingly with great JOY!"
Like Zacharias, like Mary, like Mary's neighbors and relatives, like the angel, like the shepherds, and like the Magi, may you experience His JOY this Christmas! Merry Christmas!
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