This is the place where we find the Israelites before the first Christmas. They had been oppressed by the Romans for a long time, and it had been even longer since they had heard from God through the prophets, so they were in a dark place as a people. It was in the midst of this situation that the news of the Messiah’s coming was made known to them. Can you imagine how good that news sounded to the ears of one who had been oppressed and bordering on hopeless for so long?
Our joy today can come from the truth that God lives with us! He did this through the life of a young girl bearing a little baby. I look at the story of Mary being told that she would give birth to Jesus, and at first, she almost seems shocked and doesn’t say a lot. But a few verses down, we see her after she has had time to reflect a bit, and she sings a song of great joy. She marvels at what God is doing for her people through her.
As you reflect upon Jesus this year, take a moment to also consider where we’d be if He hadn’t come. We would be lost with no hope. Imagine yourself in that place. Imagine the despair and dreariness of such a life. Now, remember anew that Jesus DID come and He has come to give us joy! How much greater our joy can be when we remember where we’d be without Him.