Christmas: A Cause for Rejoicing

TEXT: Luke 2:8-20

Every Christmas, I have read Luke chapters 1 and 2 with my family. The story of the birth of Jesus Christ is one of the greatest historical accounts that we have and it is wonderful that we all are reminded of it each year. During this time of year, however, a lot of people seem to forget the true meaning of the spirit of Christmas. They rush about becoming stressed and worried over family issues, buying gifts, traveling, attending various events, and so many other things that cloud the realization that Christ is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Instead of doing all of that, we should actually be rejoicing. Allow me to share with you today three reasons why Christmas is a cause for rejoicing.

1. We rejoice because God is glorified. After the angel delivered his message of Jesus' birth to the shepherds on that night in Bethlehem, an angelic symphony appeared in the skies and sang, "Glory to God in the highest." On that first Christmas day, when the angels announced Jesus' birth, God was glorified, and that is a cause for rejoicing.

2. We rejoice because God reached down to man. God did not just speak to man from the sky, but He reached down to man. The angels did not just come with a verbal message from God, but a physical message from God. They said, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

3. We rejoice because man has a reason to hope. Notice what else the angels sang: "Peace on Earth; good will toward men." Before the birth of Jesus Christ, mankind had no reason to hope for peace with God or salvation. Our future was dark and grim indeed. All we had to look forward to was eternal punishment and separation from our loving Creator. But the birth of a baby pumped new life into the waning heartbeat of the world.