Repeat the Sounding Joy

11. Good News For All

It's me again God,

Last night, I saw Your mighty hand in nature, when a severe thunderstorm came out of nowhere and gave me quite a fright! I was sitting by a large window as a flash of very bright lightning lit up the whole room! It was quickly accompanied by such a loud clap of thunder, that I jumped off the sofa onto the floor to be away from the window! The storm soon passed and I was able to resume my evening but it made me think about the reaction of the shepherds who were watching their sheep in a field when Your angel came to tell them some amazing news:

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:8-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What a shock this must have been for these shepherds when the area around them suddenly lit up, because Your radiance shone and flashed around them! Perhaps they were reminded of the lightning they would often witness while working the nightshift but this was different —there was a stranger among them! I imagine their hearts were thumping fast inside their chests as the angel spoke:

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Even the angel could see their fear and calmly told them not to be afraid. Their minds must have been racing as they waited to hear what sort of 'good news' the angel had to tell them. They must have been intrigued as it was news that would 'cause great joy for all people' —that includes me!

Joy in this case would be something far beyond a feeling of great pleasure or happiness because it would come from You! Thank You Lord for allowing the whole world to experience the same joy as those who heard the good news of Jesus' birth so long ago. Thank You for the joy of having Jesus as my personal Saviour because the good news didn't end with His birth!

Often top news stories can appear across all forms of media and last for several days but this was Good News that would carry across centuries and impact millions! It is Good News that is still as relevant to people today from every nation on earth! Lord help me to proclaim Your Good News to those in my family who don't know You personally. May many come to You this Christmas —may they take time to hear the Good News and receive You as their Lord, then they will have so much to be joyful about!

Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King,
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing.

In King Jesus' Name,
Amen.