Joy

Picture the shepherds, just doing their jobs on an ordinary night. Maybe some sheep were calm, maybe others were stubborn. They might have been warding off predators, or maybe things were quiet that night, and they were feeling a little bored. Nothing about that evening hinted at history being made. And then suddenly, light split the sky, angels filled the air, and the shepherds were the first to hear the greatest news the world would ever know: the Savior had been born. Their response? They ran off to see for themselves, and then they went into town and told everyone they could find.

Now picture yourself on an ordinary day. Maybe things are going smoothly, or maybe everything feels like it’s falling apart. You might be energized by a win, or maybe you’re feeling weary. Whatever kind of day it is, the truth remains the same: Jesus has come. That is still good news that brings great joy. His presence turns even ordinary moments into extraordinary ones.

The challenge is that life keeps pulling us back into routine. Responsibilities stack up and news headlines weigh us down. Joy is a matter of perspective, and it’s easy to let it fade into the background. But what if this Christmas, we chose to be like those shepherds again? What could happen if we let the wonder of Jesus’ birth interrupt our ordinary days, and then shared that joy with the people around us?

Can you imagine how your workplace, school, or family dynamic could shift if, instead of spreading the word about the latest news weighing the world down, you spread the word about the good news of Jesus — the good news that’s meant to cause great joy.

There are so many people out there who don’t know Jesus. They don’t know that joy is possible in their life. But, as followers of Christ, we do. Share the good news with someone this week. Maybe invite them to church for Christmas. And let joy fill your heart again as you share it.

Prayer: “Lord of joy, fill us with gladness that overflows. May we carry Your joy to everyone we meet.”