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When a baby is born there is such gladness, such JOY, that everyone feels. The new life that has such promise and such aspirations. The Joy of Mommy and Daddy as they see this precious little person for the first time. Proud grandparents, happy new Uncles and Aunts, it's a very Joyful time.

It was somewhat different in Jesus' case. Mom and Dad were hunkered down in a dirty animal shelter and had no cradle, but placed their new treasure in a feed trough. Grandma and Grandpa were not there, no Uncles or Aunts, no family of any kind is recorded for us.

But this was not just any new son. This was the Son of Man from the vision of Daniel, 400 years before, who will judge the nations at the end of the world. This was the Son of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

And so, the angels rejoiced, they shared the good news with shepherds in a field outside of town. They called it, "Good News of Great Joy."

Why?

There is another word we use sometimes that means "Good News." That word is "Gospel." You've heard that I'm sure. In Mark 1:15, Jesus said, "repent and believe the gospel."

It wasn't just "good news" that Jesus was born because here's another baby in the world, and that's precious enough, isn't it? This baby was most precious because of who He was and is. It was Good News because God's plan of salvation was at work and through this baby all the world would be blessed and would be able to saved.

Joy because we are unable to save ourselves, Joy because God has fulfilled His promise to redeem us. Yes, Joy because we have inherited God's unmerited favor. Through nothing we have done ourselves, God has shown us mercy, sparing us from His wrath that we deserved, and instead given us His grace in the form of Eternal Life.

Beloved, this baby was born with a purpose. First to live a righteous life, to lay claim to the title Christ, Anointed One, and Son of God. To prove it through His miraculous signs and wonders, and then to take the punishment for our sins on the cross. But the Joy is in the resurrection.

Walt, your confused. This is Christmas, not Easter. Beloved they are inseparably joined. There is no Joy of Christmas without the Joy of Easter. If Jesus didn't rise from the dead, then He is just another new baby at Christmas time. And without Christmas there could be no Easter.

For it is in Jesus coming back to life, conquering death, that the fulfillment of the Angel's song of Glory on a hill outside of Bethlehem that night is found.

What did they sing?

Glory to God in the highest, And on earth, peace among men with whom He is pleased.

With whom is He well pleased? Jesus said, "repent and believe the gospel." (mark 1:15)

Beloved, until and unless one repents, that is, turn from sin, and believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no Peace, there is no Good News, there can be no eternal Joy.

But for those that repent and believe, God has stored up the riches of His favor to bestow upon us, For the mind set on God is at peace.

Shortly before Jesus was crucified he prayed these words in John 17:13: "But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves."

Do you have the eternal Joy of knowing Jesus?