Good News of Great Joy

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Christ, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth 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 heaven,

   and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

—Luke 2:8-14

Good news of great joy.

Been a while since we heard any of that, hasn’t it?

The world continues to lurch toward the end of the year, still reeling from the outbreak of violence of the last thirty days and still in uproar in so many corners of the globe. The loud still dominate TV reports and political forums. We are still seeking the hope and peace of the first two Sundays in Advent. 

Joy?

Is that even possible at the moment?

It is if we tune our ears to hear and open our eyes to see. Several folks posted Linus’ soliloquy from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” that is a recitation of our passage today, including his solemn denouement, “That’s what it’s all about, Charlie Brown.” Linus has tuned ears and opened eyes. 

It is a good paragraph, this text from Luke. It is quiet and still. It glows from within like candlelight on a dark night. It is simple in its affirmation and its assertion—there is good news that is for everybody. Reading it softens the sharp edges. Hearing it lowers the volume on the hysteria around us. 

But how can we be certain it holds true? How can we be sure that it really is what Christmas is all about?

Look at the message within the text.

Look first at the core—there is a newborn asleep in a manger in a cattle stall somewhere in a back alley of Bethlehem. That child is the savior. Now consider the implications of that message. First, salvation is at hand—not yet, but at hand. God is with us; God is working; and so, light begins to dawn. Second, salvation is a child—a newborn—that means there is work for us to do to make it real. We are charged with nourishing salvation, tending hope, and nurturing redemption. That means we have the task of bringing those gifts to the world through our words, deeds, and even our simple presence in the world. So, third, God trusts us! That is an astounding piece of good news—God has not given up on the human experiment, repented of making us, nor is God considering cleaning the slate of us. No, God still believes we will fulfill and bring to fruition the promise of being made in the image of God. We can fulfill all the promise of having a creative imagination that can be fueled by love. 

Now look a little more broadly—who hears this good news? Shepherds strewn across a hillside, tending their sheep, miles from the bustle and sophistication of the world. It did not come to the Temple in Jerusalem, nor the king enthroned there (in fact, Matthew makes it clear that the official authorities had no clue anything was happening [sound familiar?]). It came to regular folk leading regular lives. God is with everyone. God claims everyone. God has no barriers, entrance exams, or fences to negotiate to get to God. If you are human, God welcomes you! Hear and believe this good news!

Hopefully by now you begin to feel the first spark of joy rekindling within you.

The joy of Christmas is still as subtle and secretive as it was the very first Christmas. It slips between the cracks. It filters through the noise and hubbub of our sanctioned celebration of the holiday. It surprises us late one December evening, perhaps when we  can’t sleep, and peek out the window and see the neighborhood illuminated in the wee hours by our nearby companions’ yard display of color and sparkle. Perhaps it slips into our awareness as we share a cup of coffee with a returned child now a college student, knowing such moments will be rarer as they move into life, therefore, becoming precious. Maybe it comes as we begin to puzzle over what to get for our first grandchild who is still a couple of years away from really knowing anything is going on. Maybe it comes when a total stranger wishes you a “Merry Christmas!” as you trundle past with your shopping cart on the way to your car. Look for it; listen for it…it’s there.

Now realize that it is not seasonal! Nope, no expiration date!

God is always. God is everywhere. God is now, but God is also tomorrow.

The promises of Christmas can continue to grow and fold before us. Again, the sign is a newborn—newborns grow for a long time. Let joy grow within you, then share it, allowing it to take root in someone else. Keep passing it along. Keep spreading it. Allow it to lead. 

Good news of great joy.

Indeed.