Written by John Noel, Worship Associate

Luke 1:77-79, Luke 2:10-20

As expressed in the Old Testament, that anticipation and deep longing for a coming Messiah still produced heartfelt joy – “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!” Now we turn the pages of our Bible to the New Testament and rejoice in Jesus’ arrival—“What Child is this who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap, is sleeping?...This, this is Christ the King!”

Joy and Jesus’ arrival absolutely do go together! But why is that so important? Why should I rejoice?

Jesus’ birth solved my sin problem. As a sinner, I need God’s mercy and salvation. Zechariah, in Luke 1:77-79, rejoiced that the coming Messiah would bring “…salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” The saving acts of God anticipated of Yahweh in the Old Testament are realized in the coming of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, who would eventually die on the cross as full payment of the penalty for my sins.

God’s sovereign eternal plan—past and future—included me!  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (Luke 2:14) As His child, I can rejoice because my peace with God and joy in God has been secured through His gracious, unconditional choosing and favor.

Jesus’ birth is not a fictitious story. After those lowly shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary, and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in a manger, Luke 2:20 says, “the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.” God can be trusted. The Word of God is true. I can rejoice because God’s promises are not a thing of fiction! As part of the Advent series at Calvary Church this year, our Kids Choir will premiere a new song written by Cheryl Noel, the chorus of which features these words: “Into our lonely moments, the Comforter is born; This Savior is more than real, and was born to give us life.”

Rejoicing and Jesus Christ’s arrival absolutely do go together! “Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary!”