TODAY IN THE WORD
Fyodor Dostoevsky and two fellow prisoners had been sentenced to death. Last rites had been offered. A firing squad stood ready to execute the condemned men. At that dramatic moment, a messenger from the Russian Tsar appeared with a pardon. Their lives had been spared! Apparently this had been the plan all along—the mock execution was conducted only to teach them an unforgettable lesson. The other two men immediately went insane. Dostoevsky, on the other hand, went on to become a great novelist who wrote such books as Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov. He never forgot the power of grace and forgiveness.

Like the messenger who brought good news to Dostoevsky, the angels in today’s reading made a dramatic announcement that brought good news for all humanity. The Christmas story is a vital part of our study on joy. Throughout this month we’ve seen that joy is a result of God’s power and presence, and the Incarnation is the ultimate example of both. The first announcement of His birth was delivered to shepherds, perhaps a symbolic nod to David, the shepherd-king who had received a promise that his throne would endure forever (2 Sam. 7:16). The shepherds were faithful to believe the message, find the child, and spread the word (vv. 15-20).

The birth announcement itself is familiar: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (vv. 10-11). The phrase “Christ the Lord” clearly identifies the baby as both God and Messiah, an amazing and almost incomprehensible truth. God became a man!

Theologians are still searching for words adequate to this mystery. Furthermore, the Messiah had come not just for the Jews, but for “all the people.” To God’s glory, His plan of redemption was unequivocally revealed as worldwide in scope. “Glory to God in the highest” (v. 14)!

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sharing the gospel of Christ is all about joy. The angels took great joy in sharing the good news with the shepherds. The shepherds in turn took great joy in sharing their experience with all who would listen. Sometimes we get sidetracked on evangelistic methods—the right number of steps, the right questions in the right order, or a personal testimony with the right ingredients. What if we put it more in terms of joy? Like Dostoevsky, we’ve received a pardon and want to shout it from the rooftops!

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