Luke 1:26-33
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, ‘Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.’ But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her: ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.'”
Those who gathered around the new baby were blessed because they knew that God had fulfilled His promises.
The Psalms for the 3rd week of Advent carry on the theme of the justice and mercy brought about by God’s coming kingdom.
Psalm146:8-9
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. 9 The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.
Psalm 126:5
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and His Kingdom will last for eternity. We live at a time when joy is scarce. We have more comforts than ever before, but people seem to be complaining more than ever. When we’re not thankful for what we have, it’s almost impossible to be joyful.
May you find true joy in Christ’s birth this Christmas.