Luke 2:10-12

It's not a riddle, just an interesting piece of history. On November 4, 2007, Laura Cirioli gave birth to twins in Cary, North Carolina. What's unique about this birth is the timing. Peter Sullivan Cirioli was born first at 1:32 a.m. His twin sister, Allison Raye Cirioli was born thirty-four minutes later at...1:06 a.m. Because Daylight Saving Time ended at 2:00 a.m., Allison was technically born twenty-six minutes before her "older" brother. (Dr. Raymond McHenry, In Other Words, Dec. 2007 Issue 2)

Two thousand years ago there was another birth that was far more complicated than this one, yet God's Word declares that Jesus Christ was born "at the right time" (Galatians 4:4).

Warren Wiersbe was leading a midweek service one Christmas season and was discussing how some people are negative about celebrating the birth of God's Son. A Jewish Christian in the congregation spoke up and said: "Well, Why shouldn't we celebrate Jesus' birthday? His Father certainly made a big fuss over it!"

Indeed He did!

The song says "the heavens exploded with music everywhere and the angels spilled over heaven's edge and filled the air and the Father rejoiced, for He did not lose His Son, but He gained for Himself forever those who'd come" All of heaven resounded with joy at the birth of the Savior. When the angel appeared before the shepherds his first words were, "Do not be afraid!" Why shouldn't they be afraid?

I love the way the Living Bible paraphrases Luke 2:10: "the angel brought the most joyful news ever announced..." (TLB) The shepherds quit trembling and the Bible shows us that they embraced the message and left us a picture of JOY among a bunch of field hands. Shepherds were hardworking, ordinary people in the agricultural and pastoral life of Judea. They lived with danger and difficulty and occasionally were the brunt of jokes among the wealthier families. In God's eyes, however, the insignificant shepherds were the significant receivers of His grace.

In Luke 2: 10-12 three times the angel emphasized the personal pronoun YOU:

I bring YOU good news (V. 10)
There has been born for YOU a savior (v. 11)
This will be a sign for YOU (v. 12)

We can have great joy knowing that we have a personal invitation from God to participate in his purposes for our lives.

E. Stanley Jones, the missionary preacher once said: "When I met Christ, I felt that I had swallowed sunshine."

One of the things I've observed in my years of ministry is that people who really enjoy their relationship with Christ demonstrate the sunshine of His presence but those who are caught up in the web of works and live by the law of legalism have no idea of the joy of the Chrstian life. And, as a result, they miss the whole point.

We shouldn't think the shepherds received this personal invitation from God casually. The Bible tells us that they trembled in terror. They found their hearts in their throats. But God didn't want them to flounder in fear. He wanted them to celebrate the angel's invitation to Joy.

God gives each of us the same invitation. He personalized the offer and he is thrilled when we respond in gladness. God is waiting for us to enjoy the wonder and awe of His presence.

Upon being told to "behave," Dennis the Menace pointed his fingers at the scolding babysitter and retorted, "If I behave, you'll be out of a job!" (Dennis the Menace; 11/15/07)

God isn't worried about job security when He tells us to rejoice and be glad and Christmas is the time of year when we're reminded that God's joy always exceeds our limitation and expectations.

Donna Denton was an inspiration to me early in my ministry in Georgia. She was absolutely consumed with the joy of Christ even in the midst of her 20-year battle with liver disease. She was a living example of joy up until the end even though she had lost her voice and suffered great pain. Her husband, Wayne, told me that one day at Emory Hospital a nurse entered the room late and said "You have something I've never found and I need it." Donna couldn't speak but she smiled as tears ran down her cheeks. She motioned for a pen and paper so she could write about the love of Jesus. About that time our pastor, Craig Bowman entered the room and quickly realized what was happening and shared the message Donna had lived - the message of salvation and joy in Christ Jesus -- and there in that hospital room, the nurse received Christ.

The joy that Jesus gives stands up to life's most demanding tests. I can't help but wonder if more people would join us in a walk with Christ if they could see that same banner of joy waving in our hearts which Donna Denton demonstrated even as the wind of adversity blows.

May your Christmas and every day be filled with the joy of Christ!