Be an angel

If the events of the last few years of my life have taught me anything, it is that I can; yes, I must, choose joy. I do not choose to ignore the sadness nor do I attempt to ‘out laugh’ the pain! Living with sorrow has made the superficial ‘laugh tracks’ of life all but unbearable. The joy I desire can only be found in the pursuit of God, a joy that envelopes the grief and pain of life.  The Christmas story includes the promise of joy proclaimed by divine messengers.

Angels announced the possibility of joy; "for all the people!"   With this phrase, "I bring you good news of great joy," the angel reassured a group of frightened men. Some terrified shepherds, seeing the strangest sight ever there in the field outside of Bethlehem, heard the proclamation of a new grace made available to humanity. Shepherds of that day were not anywhere near the top of heap of society. They were a rough lot, earthy men.   They were likely illiterate, almost certainly not well versed in the prophetic texts, or even all that observant of the Law. I am full of wonder that God choose to make His announcement to them.  I am tempted to ask, “Did the angels get lost on their way to the home of the mayor of Bethlehem? Did they wander off course as they were headed to the elites of Jerusalem?”   No, of course not. God's love is for all people and we see it in the Gospel story of the Incarnation: shepherds from the field as well as wise men from the East. Opposite ends of the social spectrum, both called to worship the Savior. In that worship, they found joy.

My prayerful goals this Season are two-fold – to choose to live in joy and to bring the joy of Jesus to my world. I hope I can provide a little happiness this year, with some appropriate gifts.  Family traditions, greeting cards, and holiday music will bring some cheerful moments.  Even more, I want to be like the angels, announcing the possibility of lasting joy of the Lord made possible by the birth of the Baby.  

I invite you to join me in this mission!   "Hey, Jerry, we're no angels."   Right you are!  But, we are messengers with a great announcement. We have the awesome privilege of leading others to Him, sharing with them the Hope we have found.   Paul tells us that "All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other.  God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you. How? you say.  In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God." (2 Corinthians 5:18-21, The Message)

Pray for opportunities to be a bringer of joy, a messenger of hope. Be an angel!

Are you joyless? (Remember, joy is nothing like transient happiness.) The ancient announcement is for you, too! The angel said, “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!" (Luke 2:10-11, NLT) Jesus came to close the gap between the Father and ourselves that sin created. “Reconciled” is the word the Bible uses. You and I can find peace with God and the gift of eternal life in Him.  Those things create real joy which we own now, while we wait for the Second Advent of our King.   Tell Him your deepest need. Ask Him to help you.   His answer may not come in the way you expect, but He will come to you.   He promises! Joy is found in Jesus.

_____________________________

Angels we have heard on high,

Sweetly singing o'er the plains;

And the mountains in reply,

Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?

Why your joyous strains prolong?

Say what may the tidings be;

Which inspire your heav'nly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see,

Him whose birth the angels sing;

Come adore on bended knee,

Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Angels We Have Heard On High

Chadwick, James / Barnes, Edward Shippen

© Public Domain CCLI License No. 810055