Luke 2:9
"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."
Week 3: Joy
We tend to associate "Joy" with softness—a gentle feeling of happiness. But in the Christmas story, Joy arrives with the force of a shockwave.
When the angel appeared to the shepherds, the text does not say they were comforted. It says they were "sore afraid" (KJV) or "terrified" (NIV).
Why? Because the glory of God is traumatic to the darkness.
The shepherds were sitting in total obscurity, and suddenly, Heaven tore open. The "Good News of Great Joy" didn't feel safe; it felt like an invasion.
This is the paradox of Advent Joy. It isn't the absence of intensity; it is the presence of God entering our reality. It shakes us. It wakes us up. It disrupts the status quo.
The angel’s command—"Do not be afraid"—is the bridge. It acknowledges the terror while inviting them into the celebration. Joy is on the other side of the fear.
Share the Good News
Real joy is contagious. Who needs to hear "Good News" today?