Advent: Joy

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"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'"

Luke 2:10, ESV

I'm old school: I still love to read the newspaper. And I don't mean online. I like opening up my door and finding it waiting for me on the doorstep. I like the feel of the paper. I like sitting in my living room on Sunday afternoons with a cup of tea and Squirrel sound asleep at my feet. It's one of my favorite moments of the week.

Often though, what starts off as a peaceful moment leaves me frustrated and distraught. There usually comes a point in my reading time when I consciously switch from world news to the leisure section because my soul has had all it can take of sad stories.

Luke 2:10 struck me anew this year. The angel began his message with the words "fear not."

How often I live in fear: fear of my own future, fear of the country's future, fear that my washing machine will never be fixed and I'll have to throw in the towel and say "that's it, I'm done with clothes."

Squirrel's no better. Though he may be peacefully sleeping at my feet as I write this, he lives his life with a great many fears. I unfortunately credit that to his pup-hood as a rescue dog. Wood chippers, trucks, thunder storms, baby gates, mops - all terrifying.

So to be told "fear not" - and not in the sense of "get over" but really, "you don't need to be afraid" - sounds like a giant sigh of relief. Fear not! The mighty God of the universe is before, behind, and beside you!

Then we find the heavenly messenger saying he brought news. Not just any news, but good news. Who amongst us doesn't find themselves longing for good news? Something that brings hope, not discouragement. This good news will bring us great joy. Again, not happiness, which is fleeting, but true joy which is greater than our circumstances. After all, Mary and Joseph were alive when Rome was at its zenith, keeping little Israel tightly under its thumb. They had a great many reasons to be discouraged in their poverty and oppression.

Lastly, the angel's message was for all people. We are a divided society. It's heartbreaking to see and backbreaking to address. Yet, the message of the manager is truly for all, with no asterisk following it and a footnote of those excluded from the terms.

No fear because God is in control.

Good news because God has not forgotten us in our sorry state.

Everyone is welcome at the manager and, perhaps more importantly, at the empty tomb.

That is the definition of joy.