Jesus: Bringing Joy to All People

For Christians, Christmas time is a time of great joy, and it feels as though all forms of joy unite on this special day. Parents are thrilled to see the smiles of delight on their children’s faces as they open their presents, and the children are happy with everything they receive. And so it seems that joy comes into the homes where people take pleasure in each other’s company. At times, joy overflows from happy households into homes that have experienced much suffering and sorrow. The spirit of the season fills people with a desire to bring joy to all people and to lead the downcast out of the darkness that envelops them.  

The angel of the Lord proclaimed Christ’s birth as a source of great joy to the shepherds: “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people” (Luke 2:10). This joy is of another kind than the joy described previously. He who lived in heaven left heaven’s splendor and became a man to bring salvation to all people. He was born to deliver people from their sins. He was born to free the slaves of sin and to give them a new life so that they, freed from all bonds, could serve God. The angels proclaimed: “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). The hour of salvation had arrived. 

“I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” This joy was not limited to a few individuals: It was for all the people. No one was excluded. The joy was to fill all the people, and the Lord would fill everyone with His strength, giving them new life. The glory of a new day dawned, and joy had come to the entire population. 

Everyone hungers for joy. Life is often difficult and stressful, and it can bring much disappointment. People sigh and cannot pull themselves together. Life becomes empty and meaningless, and joy is only a distant memory. Oh, how much they must desire stability and a joy that does not fade! But where can they find what they are looking for? Travel this world and search out all of its amusements. Look in nature. Search for joy wherever you want. If Christ is not the source of your joy, you will always remain empty. All of the world’s pleasures fade and leave the people feeling sad and lonely. Have you ever felt this way?

The message of the Bible is one of joy. Both the New and Old Testament speak often of joy: 

• “In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right  

         hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11)

• “They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness 

         of Your house, And You give them drink from 

the river of Your pleasures” (Psalm 36:8)

• “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall 

be joyful in my God” (Isaiah 61:10)

• And Christ said, “Ask, and you will receive, that 

your joy may be full” (John 16:24)

• And of the jailer in Philippi, we read, “He re

joiced, having believed in God with all his house

hold” (Acts 16:34)

The jailer had come to God. Through his faith in Jesus Christ, he experienced the forgiveness of his sins, and he had full assurance that he was a child of God. And so, he had a joy that came from the Lord and was truly pure and holy in nature. 

Christians today also experience true joy, and even when they experience times of great sorrow, they can still hold on to this heavenly joy. Christmas, a festival of joy, should draw you closer to the Lord. You too can take part in the great joy that the angel proclaimed at Jesus’ birth: “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”