And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11
Without a doubt, Christmas is to be a time of rejoicing. On that first Christmas night, the angel announced to the shepherds “good news of a great joy.” The Savior has come! WOW! Those shepherds were so excited. That announcement changed their lives forever. They were filled with joy and wonder and praise.
At Christmas time, are you filled with joy and wonder and praise? Or has the devil, the original Grinch, the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy, stolen those things from you? Think about the angel’s announcement, “There has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” What does that really mean for you and me?
The Savior has come to save you from a dark past. So many people are suffering with intense guilt over bad things they have done in the past. The devil beats them to death with shame and guilt. But, Child of God, be beaten no longer! All the terrible, horrible things you have done are no match for the Savior’s blood that He shed for you on the cross. The moment you confess those sins to God and repent of them, you are forgiven! Remember what the Savior said to Peter, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy” (Acts 10: 15). This is the season of rejoicing! And this truth is a great reason for JOY!
