Tidings of Joy

It was over two thousand years ago, on a night we don’t know, a date we can only guess at, but it was the most important night in the entire history of the world, for it was the night that those tidings of joy were first heard and welcomed by hearts that believed.

I’ve always wondered, what it might have been like to be alive that night in Bethlehem. To be out on the hills, to have seen it. To have heard it. To have welcomed Him.

I read the words and imagine it.

“There were…shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them,
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God,
and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men.”

A silent night, a quiet group, waiting in their hearts for this very moment, and yet not knowing that it was here.  Quiet night, suddenly filled with light and music, and tidings of great joy…not just to them, but to all people.  From the beginning to the end.

Those tidings of joy echo through the ages and come to us,  and my heart soars with every note and chills go down my spine  as I imagine that Bethlehem night and think of these tidings of great joy.

For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called
Wonderful,
Counselor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

The shepherds left their flock for the joy of welcoming  their LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. The wise men traveled far following a star to honor Him. But for many, the tidings of great joy were lost in the hustle of yet another day.

It is the busiest time of the year, and often I think we live like the majority of the world did then–like we haven’t heard the tidings, and don’t know the joy.  Perhaps we’ve forgotten some of the strains of that angel song.

It isn’t about the gifts we give to each other. It isn’t about holly and Christmas trees. It is about knowing the tidings and living like we do.

Let’s stop. Let’s listen to the song, and let it echo in our hearts. Today. Tomorrow. Next week, and all year long. Let’s start living joyfully, let’s start counting our joys… because we know Him who was born so long ago  in Bethlehem.

For He was born, He lived. He died and now He lives.

And He’s coming back .

For us.

And these are truly the tidings of greatest joy that have ever been told.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

—-

Living  with joy is one of the most beautiful things ever. Counting  joys is something that we should do all year, but on Twitter right now you can share some of the special joys of  this season by using the #100joys hash to tag your posts so others can share the joy this season. This 100 joys is hosted by Sarah Markley, so be sure to read her posts and the details over on her blog!