The Glory Of The Lord Shone Around Them

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12

After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, joy was lost. God expelled them from their garden home to prevent something worse from happening. If they had eaten from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they would have lived forever in their misery.

Life outside the garden was hard. Adam and Eve had to work for their food. The reality of death was everywhere, and animals preyed on one another. Even worse, the couple’s firstborn son murdered his younger brother. What could be worse?

But God had a plan to restore joy. Joy was lost in the Garden when death came, but joy returned through birth – the birth of God’s own Son.

The joy of Christmas is Jesus.

Our Daily Bread – December 16, 2012