Joy to the World!

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 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, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!’"

—Luke 2:8-14

Lowly shepherds are the first to hear Jesus’ birth announcement. Watching their flocks by night, an angel of the Lord appears to them, making the greatest birth announcement the world has ever known. It is the greatest news in human history. As a matter of fact, His birth defines history!

Even our history is defined by His! Every time we write down the year of our birth, we are in someway acknowledging Him, because the year of our birth is defined according to His!

The angel says, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” The shepherds need not fear the angel’s terrifying presence because the angel isn’t there to proclaim judgment, but to proclaim the opportunity for salvation for everyone who believes! It’s available to all the people! And what is available? A Divine Savior. The angel’s proclamation involved the birth announcement in the city of David: a Savior is born; one who would save them from their sins. And He would be “Christ the Lord.” “Christ” means “anointed one” and “Lord” indicates that He is also God!

And if the appearance of one angel wasn’t enough for the shepherds, there suddenly appeared the multitude of the heavenly host! The wording in Greek indicates that it was a vast army of angels! And they were all praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” What a proclamation! Heaven proclaims the praises of God in front of lowly shepherds! Even in the announcement of Christ’s birth, God’s love for the lowliest is seen! What a God! What a Savior! What amazing love!

What does this birth announcement mean? That can be found in the last part of the angels’ praise, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Many know this verse a bit differently. The King James Version translated it as, “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” But that actually is a wrong translation and removes much of the power of the angels’ proclamation. The proper wording is that of our text, “on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” In other words, the peace the angels proclaimed is available only to those who have truly trusted in Christ (see Romans 5:1)! We can have peace, true, everlasting peace, because of Jesus Christ and what He has done on our behalf! Praise the Lord!

My brother or sister in Christ, I pray that you may be one among whom His peace rests! His salvation is available to anyone who asks (Romans 10:9-10). We simply need to receive it by faith.

And for those who already know this life giving peace. I pray that today might be a momentous day for you. I pray that you might have the peace of Christ ruling in your heart and your mind as you go about your day. Whether you are with family, friends, or by yourself, I pray that you might rejoice in Jesus Christ and the joy of knowing the God who saves. I pray that the joy of knowing Christ may pour out from your soul to all with whom you meet today so that they too, along with the angels, may say, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Amen.