Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/1056515
19 22 Joy to the World Eddie Broussard, MA Board Member A s the familiar sights and sounds of Christmas welcome us again to this merry season, they may too easily shroud the greatest joy the world has ever known. e giving and receiving of gifts certainly give us joy, but the Gospel of Luke points us to the greatest joy the world has ever known. Luke writes, "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord'" (Luke 2:10–11). is unique joy comes from the good news that a long-anticipated King has been born. Luke uses the word euangelidzō, which would have evoked intrigue and fascination to readers familiar with the culture of the Greco-Roman world of the first century. is word, meaning "to announce good news," was used to describe the good news that accompanied the reign of Caesar Augustus who was thought to be the "savior" that would bring peace for all. Luke chooses the word joy to describe the birth of Jesus! Jesus was born a King, but of a whole other order. His kingdom is not earthly or limited with a beginning and end, as was the Roman Caesars. His kingdom is everlasting, and His kingship is all powerful. Jesus is King of all, and He, with the Father and Spirit, rules forever. He is the Savior of the world. He alone saves people from the consequence of their sin— eternal death—and gives them entrance into the eternal, unshakeable, and glorious kingdom. If joy is defined as "the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires," the greatest joy would come from receiving a gift that gives the greatest sense of well-being, success, and good fortune, one that gives us what our hearts most deeply long for. e greatest treasures we will find in this age and the next will be in intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father, and the Spirit in their eternal kingdom! is is the gift Christmas brings to us. Receive the gift and open it! Joy to the world! 14 December "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 CHRIST THE LORD'" - LUKE 2:10-11