Advent Week 3:: Joy Tuesday

God is about replacing fear with joy. That is what happened that night on the hill side with shepherds. Luke 2 says that the "glory of the Lord shone around them", this glory is the presence of God and it cause them to be afraid. The first words of the angel were "fear not", then the angel said "I bring you good news of great joy." The angel is speaking the words of God and essentially they are "I want to replace your fear with joy."

Their fear came from a knowledge of themselves. Every time in scripture when faced with the presence of God, the immediate response is fear. From Abraham to Moses to Isaiah to these shepherds they were all afraid when they encountered God. They were afraid because of their sin. But the message of Christmas is "Fear not, the long expected Savior is here!"

That is joy! Moving from "I am dead" to "I have been completely accepted" is God replacing fear with joy. It is the message of Christmas.

Sin is born in our mistaken thought that we can provide pleasure for ourselves. All sin is a conscious or an unconscious statement to God that I know better how to give myself pleasure. The result is a disconnect from God, from the source of true joy. God has not come to ruin you, He has come to get you back. Our king is here.

Have a good day filled with joy that comes from this season.