The Advent of Joy | Coming For All People
The prophets had long talked about the coming of the Savior who would rescue His people. Isaiah in particular had proclaimed the coming King who would bare the wounds of an unjust punishment for the sake of the people as each page of Isaiah spoke of a shadow of a greater thing to come. Then, it seemed the world grew silent. While God still moved and never abandoned His people, the world felt off and silent. During this time of 400 years, no scripture would be utter and while the prophets spoke, everything felt different. Yet, for whatever the people felt, their situation had been much more dire than their thought. Since the Garden of Eden, sin ruled in the hearts of man that had separated them from God’s presence. Yet, one night, at precisely the right time, came the most joyous of news throughout all the earth.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:8-14, ESV)
The birth of Christ represented a joyous occasion that few understood. The angels, with their approximate connection to the divine knew the significance of this event. The silent era had ended and the defeat of sin and death remained immanent. The angels proclaimed this joyous event loudly and to the most innocuous of people, shepherds in the field. The coming of Jesus Christ brought the joy to the world that God would take on flesh and live in the midst of His people. He came to relinquish the power of sin over the people of God and restore the right relationship. This would not be just for the people of Israel but would be good news of great joy for all people regardless of their background, ethnicity, gender, and people.
The Coming of Jesus Christ
Mankind,Sin had separated us from the presence of God lest God pour out the fullness of His wrath upon a people who rebelled against Him. The only one who could rightfully bridge that gap and that distance between God and man would be for God to draw near to mankind first. The angel’s announcement of joy sought to proclaim the good news for the people of God that God had come to dwell with them. Jesus cemented the special relationship between God and man by taking on flesh and choosing to live as one of them in their presence and in their midst. The mere presence of God in the flesh brought reason for joyous celebration. His purpose proclaimed His sovereign rule and reign while opening the door for the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Joys comes when we understand that God drew near to us, His people, first. We can have joy as Christ makes the first step in overcoming the effects of sin on the hearts and souls of all creation. There is no more any need to fear eternal separation from God because of our actions as Jesus indwelled among us despite our actions. As mankind, we sin, tortured by the understanding of our sin and the decay of our own morality and yet craving this continually rebellion all the same. Jesus Christ, though just a child at this point, brought the joy that sin would no longer lord itself over the souls of mankind. The true King had arrived to reclaim His Kingdom from the grips of death. From Christ’s taking on flesh as one of us, we can have joy that the chains of our sins have been destroyed by the hands of God who is not far off but comes near to us. God does not leave us alone to die in our own mess. Instead, He sees His people justly condemned and intervenes so that His people would be rescued and His name would be glorified among all the people.
To All Mankind
With the coming of a King, you would expect a royal announcement to take place. By standards of man, the birth would take place in a palace and heralds would be sent to the influencers and royalty of the surrounding lands, to bask in the fanfare of this new birth. Yet the angels appeared to shepherds in the field at night. These had not been the cleanest of society, the most highly looked upon, or the biggest influencers. Shepherds had been scruffy individuals who largely gave up their life to live with and care for the sheep. What better representation of Christ’ birth in the world than for the angels to announce to the common man and those who would give up their life for the care of another. The elitism of the Pharisees of the day to gate keep the faith and continually heap requirements on people would end under the rule of Jesus Christ who sought redemption and salvation for all people. This news would not just be for the people of Israel would but travel beyond the borders of countries, nationalities, and ethnicities until all had heard the good news of God who took on flesh to live with all people.
The birth of Jesus Christ, taking on flesh had been a momentous occasion for all people, not just the elite. The angels in their glorious announcement signified that this news had been joyous for all people. The coming of Jesus Christ presents joy for all people not just the spiritual elite, that life has come to those who abide in Him. The joy of Jesus coming to the lowest of the lowly means that we are most assuredly included. Everything Jesus provides for His people is done by grace through faith with no one being able to earn the gifts given to them. Therefore, no one who comes to the Lord in this faith will be turned away or be found to be disqualified by their own works. When everyone’s works fall short of the glory of God, the joy of the coming of Jesus Christ comes with everyone being welcomed into the arms of God regardless of rank or status. Jesus came to bring good news of great joy for all people no matter their background or past sins. Christ comes for all.
About The Author
Daniel Burton is the founder of The Gospel Outpost. He is passionate about discipleship and seeing people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. To find out more about him, check out his Author Page.
