JOY
(Luke 1 : 26 - 56)
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10–11
DisCussion Questions
Being an oppressed people under foreign rule, it was a difficult time for Israel to rejoice at the point of Christ’s birth. How do you relate to their times in your present life?
The angel proclaims that Jesus is the long anticipated king from David whose kingdom will never end, “for no word from God will ever fail.” (verse 37). What implications does that message have for us today?
“Joy is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God.” Despite the trouble she would invite by conceiving Jesus, Mary’s response to the angel was, “May your word to me be fulfilled.” How can we receive joy in spite of our circumstances?
Joy is the response to experiencing God’s unmerited favour, also known as grace. In what ways have you observed God’s grace upon you this season?
Psalm 122
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
