Christmas Joy

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a 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’.” Luke 2:10-11

In his sermon on Luke 2:9-14 John Calvin proclaimed,
“Since the angel invites us to rejoice at the coming of Christ, not in any ordinary way but with unbounded delight, let us make the most of the message. What can we say about this joy” If we involve ourselves in worldly pleasures and are wholly absorbed by our own wants, we will never rejoice in the grace of Christ. Let the shepherds instead be our example. Their earthly lot did not change, despite the fact that they had heard the angel’s word and had witnessed the birth of God’s Son. They went back to their flocks exactly as before; they continued to live as poor men, guarding their herds. In terms of the flesh and of this passing world they gained nothing from the privilege which we read about here. For all that, they were full of joy. Theirs is a lead we should follow. For although the gospel might earn us neither wealth nor fame, and although it might not bring us gratification or amusement, nevertheless, we should be glad that we are the objects of God’s favor. That is where true blessing and happiness lie, and where real rest is found.”

Source: John Calvin, Songs of the Nativity: Selected Sermons on Luke 1 & 2, Translated by Robert White (Originally published in French, Geneva, 1562; Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust. 2008), 141-142.