Joy At the Birth of Jesus
Luke 2:10
And the angel said to them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.


To us men, more than to the angels or to any other created beings, is this day's joy. It is the great festival of humanity. He who was born to-day was —

I. A REDEEMER. Delivering us from the servitude of sin and Satan — a worse bondage than that of Egypt. Think what songs of praise (Exodus 15:1) are due to Jesus Christ to-day, who, by the baptism reddened by His blood, hath delivered us from the power of our spiritual foes.

II. A SURETY. Taking upon Himself all our debts and the condemnation of their punishment. A new, the greatest and unheard-of benefit (Colossians 2:14). He came to-day to remit that vast debt, of sin which God alone could pay; that the bond might be burnt in the fire of His love, or be affixed to the cross on Mount Calvary.

III. A HEAVENLY PHYSICIAN. Prepared and willing to heal all diseases, again and again, without fee or reward, without pain to the patient (Matthew 9:12; Luke 4:23).

IV. A SUN TO THE WORLD. Enlightening a darkness more dense than any natural or physical darkness (John 1:9; John 9:5). A light —

1. Eternal.

2. Cheering.

3. Glorifying.

V. A GUIDE TO THE TRUE AND BLESSED LIFE (Micah 2:13). Going before in difficulties, smoothing rough ways.

VI. A NOURISHER OF THE WORLD. Sustaining us in the way with "living bread."

VII. A PRINCE OF PEACE. Bringing peace —

1. With God.

2. To one's own conscience.

3. With each other. (Psalm 11:6-10.)

VIII. A SAVIOUR. Who will, after this life, bring us safely to the blessed and eternal country and being. Think on all these things and say (Psalm 117:1).

(M. Faber.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

WEB: The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.




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