Joy

When we contemplate joy, we rejoice in the coming of Jesus to us, for us, as a person, defeating death, giving us truth and everlasting life. "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people," said the angel in Luke 2:10.
 
News of great joy, given to us.
 
I recall as a child, running home from school one snowy day clutching my report card. I was normally a C-minus student, but for this particular grade period I received all A's and B's. I was so excited to get home to show my parents how well I had done; no one could stop me. I knew it would be news of great joy to them when they saw my grades. But beyond that, I received great joy in bringing that news to them. I was most happy and comforted by their happiness. They rejoiced at the news! How the angel must have smiled when reporting to the shepherds abiding in the field.
 
We can rejoice just as greatly when we report good news. It is unstoppable; just try reporting good news to someone without experiencing joy yourself!
 
Paul wrote: “For, when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within.” (2 Corinthians 7:5).
 
And yet,  in the previous verse he writes, "Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation."
 
News of great joy, given from us, can fill us with joy that is unstoppable, unshakable by our trials and tribulations, while bringing great joy to others.
 
That is a “grade A'”kind of joy. Spread the news!
 

Richard Dailey
Burnett's Chapel UMC
South East KY District