What brings great joy and good tidings today?

1. Definition and Origin of “Good Tidings” and “Great Joy”

In Scripture, “good tidings” typically refer to the proclamation of divine favor, rescue, or victory. The well-known announcement in Luke 2:10 states: “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’” This moment, heralding the birth of the Messiah, encapsulates both the content (the “good news”) and the effect (“great joy”).

The Hebrew concept of “glad tidings” is seen in Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news.” In the Greek New Testament, the word “good news” is rendered from “euangelion,” signifying the transformative message that God’s saving work is at hand and is offered to all who will believe. These passages emphasize divine initiative, where God intervenes in human history with a redemptive announcement intended to bring enduring joy.

2. Joy in the Old Testament

Joy, in the Hebrew Scriptures, is often expressed by terms like “simchah,” denoting delight in God’s provision, the celebration of His deeds, and communal worship. One example appears in Psalm 16:11: “You have made known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Here, joy is inseparably linked with God’s presence.

Israel’s historical narratives demonstrate that manifestations of joy were not tied to favorable circumstances alone, but to confidence in the God who delivers (Exodus 15:1–2; the song after crossing the Red Sea). Thus, the Old Testament portrays genuine joy as a product of divine relationship and hope in promises yet to be fulfilled.

3. Joy in the New Testament: Fulfillment in Christ

The New Testament presents the ultimate fulfillment of the Old Testament theme of joy through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. When Luke 2:10 declares “good news of great joy,” the context is Christ’s arrival as the Savior. Repeatedly, joy is found wherever His presence and message reach receptive hearts (Luke 19:1–10; the account of Zacchaeus).

The apostolic teaching further clarifies that the source of this joy is the reconciliation of humanity to God through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His victory over the grave (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). This culminates in Romans 5:1–2 where believers “rejoice in the hope of the glory of God,” grounded in the finished work of the Messiah. Hence, joy is fundamentally connected to receiving the good news that God has redeemed sinners, granting eternal life (John 3:16).

4. Reasons These Tidings Remain “Good News” Today

A. Ongoing Purpose and Hope

The historical resurrection of Christ is central to understanding why the good tidings proclaimed centuries ago still resonate with power. According to 1 Corinthians 15:14, “if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith.” Yet, the New Testament writers emphatically affirm the Resurrection, giving believers assurance of eternal life, purpose in suffering, and future resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20–22).

B. Personal Transformation

Across cultures and eras, individuals report a profound inner transformation when embracing these good tidings. Accounts from the Church Fathers to modern testimonies highlight changed conduct, restored relationships, and renewed moral convictions. Such transformation aligns with Galatians 5:22–23, where joy is depicted as a fruit of the Holy Spirit’s activity in believers’ lives.

C. Community and Service

These tidings bind people in fellowship and service, fulfilling Christ’s teaching in John 13:34–35 to “love one another.” Local assemblies and global missions illustrate that proclaiming and practicing this message fosters unity and a willingness to care for the vulnerable (James 1:27). Thus, these tidings go beyond a personal religious experience, leading to communal and global engagement.

5. Scriptural and Archaeological Corroboration

A. Ancient Manuscript Evidence

Extensive manuscript collections, such as the earliest fragments of the New Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls, demonstrate textual consistency and fidelity. These finds, including complete texts of entire New Testament books from early centuries, reinforce confidence that the very words promising great joy in Christ have been reliably preserved.

B. First-Century Historical Context

Several external sources (e.g., the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus and certain extra-biblical documents) confirm the historical setting described in the Gospels. While they do not proclaim the theological truth of the resurrection directly, their affirmation of individuals, events, and sociopolitical details aligns with Scriptural accounts.

C. Archaeological Discoveries

Archaeological sites in Israel and surrounding areas—such as evidence in Jerusalem matching biblical descriptions of the second temple, and findings like the Pilate Stone—attest to the reality of the figures and locations mentioned in the New Testament. These discoveries, taken together, provide background continuity with the recorded events leading to the proclamation of good news in biblical times.

6. Philosophical and Practical Considerations

A. Lasting Satisfaction

From a philosophical perspective, temporal pleasures often fail to satisfy the deepest human longing for purpose and meaning. In Scripture, genuine, lasting joy stems from a renewed relationship with the Creator. This aligns with centuries of recorded human experience—joy grounded in unchanging divine realities rather than fleeting external successes.

B. Overcoming Fear and Emptiness

Many wrestle with fear, whether of mortality, failure, or isolation. The announcement of good tidings in Luke 2:10 begins with “Do not be afraid!”—the same assurances repeated throughout Scripture. This message directly solutions humanity’s internal struggles by offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and a hope that transcends life’s uncertainties (John 14:27).

7. How to Partake in Today’s Good News

Engaging with these tidings begins by examining the claims and evidence of Scripture. Many investigate manuscripts, historical testimony, and personal witness accounts. Embracing the message means acknowledging one’s need for God’s grace and trusting in Christ’s death and resurrection. As Romans 10:9–10 states, “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Participation continues through prayer, fellowship with fellow believers, and consistent study of Scripture—all avenues that nurture the joy promised. This personal response is not an isolated event but an ongoing relationship that sustains hope, regardless of circumstance.

8. Conclusion

The core of good tidings and great joy remains the same today as when first declared: an abiding invitation to experience reconciliation with the Creator through the person and work of Jesus. Rooted in Old Testament prophecies and New Testament fulfillment, supported by numerous manuscript, archaeological, and historical evidences, and proven transformative in the lives of countless individuals across centuries, these tidings offer enduring joy.

All who seek lasting hope can find it in the same promise heralded to shepherds outside Bethlehem. What began as an angelic announcement continues to resonate, providing a foundation for unshakable joy and a future secured by the faithfulness of the One who proclaimed, “I bring you good news of great joy.” (Luke 2:10).