An Overflowing Joy

Posted on by Chris G Thelen

Joy is something to be shared with others. If we have good news, we want to tell everyone we know about it. When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, the angel told them, “I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people (Luke 2:10, NASB).” The good news was not just for the shepherds, it was also for all people.

Yet no one told the shepherds to hurry up and go to Bethlehem or to be sure to tell everyone “for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (2:11).” The angel simply said to them, “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger (2:12).” The shepherds responded to this good news by hurrying to Bethlehem to see this amazing thing. After seeing Jesus, they simply could not keep it to themselves.

It’s hard to grasp the joy the shepherds must have felt when they saw the Christ child in the flesh. It was a joy that could not be contained. It was truly “good news of great joy… for all the people (Luke 2:10, NASB).” After seeing their savior, “they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them (Luke 2:17-18, NIV).” Their joy in seeing the Christ child, in experiencing his presence, overflowed into the lives of those around them.

“The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.” – Luke 2:20 (NASB)

© 2019 CGThelen

7 thoughts on “An Overflowing Joy”

  1. Pingback: An Overflowing Joy — 140 Character Christian – quietmomentswithgod

  2. Oh, Lord, may my joy in knowing you overflow into the lives of those around ME. May I be as exuberant as the shepherds! Thank you for the inspiration and challenge, 140 CC!

  4. I love that they glorified and praised GOD! That they knew all this was Him and their hearts were so full of joy. It’s one thing to be amazed; it’s another altogether to be aware that it’s GOD.

    1. I like the way you describe it. It wasn’t just amazement, it was an awareness that it’s God. Thanks for sharing your insight. Blessings.

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