Message by Pastor Steve Schobert
A Joy That Begins With God’s Good News
The angel’s announcement on the night of Jesus’ birth did not begin with a command to strive harder or do better. It began with an invitation to rejoice. “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,” the angel declared, signaling that God was doing something extraordinary in the world. This joy was not reserved for the powerful or the religious elite—it was announced first to shepherds, ordinary people living ordinary lives.
From the very beginning, the story of Christmas reminds us that joy is not something we manufacture. It is something we receive.
The Pursuit of Happiness vs. the Gift of Joy
Modern culture teaches us to chase happiness as though it were a finish line—something earned through success, comfort, or achievement. Yet even as society grows more affluent and technologically advanced, studies continue to show a decline in overall happiness. The harder happiness is pursued, the more elusive it becomes.
Joy Is Not Chased—It Is Given
Scripture presents a radically different vision. Biblical joy is not a pursuit; it is a response. Joy erupts when God acts, when His faithfulness becomes visible, and when His promises come to pass. Joy is not rooted in our circumstances or accomplishments but in who God is and what He has done.
Joy is steady where happiness is fragile. Happiness fluctuates with life’s ups and downs, but joy is anchored in God’s unchanging character.
“Good Tidings of Great Joy”
Luke’s Gospel records that the angel announced the birth of Jesus with these words: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” This was good news because it meant God had stepped decisively into human history.
A Savior Has Come
For Israel, the word “savior” carried the weight of their greatest story of deliverance—the Exodus. God had rescued them from slavery, defeated their enemies, and led them into freedom. That act of salvation produced songs, dancing, and celebration because joy naturally follows deliverance.
The angel’s message pointed to something even greater. Jesus was not merely another deliverer like Moses or David. He was the Messiah—the anointed King—and more than that, He was the Lord Himself.
Christ the Lord: God With Us
The announcement that Jesus was “Christ the Lord” was staggering. The title “Lord” was the name used for Yahweh, the God of Israel. The angel was declaring that the Savior born in Bethlehem was none other than God manifested in the flesh.
This is why the joy was so great. God had not sent a substitute or a messenger—He came Himself. The incarnation marked the beginning of a kingdom that would bring healing to the brokenhearted, freedom to the captives, and hope to the oppressed.
Why Biblical Joy Is Better Than Happiness
Pastor Schobert highlights three reasons biblical joy surpasses the pursuit of happiness.
1. Joy Comes From God’s Faithfulness
Happiness depends on circumstances. Joy depends on God. Because joy flows from God’s faithfulness, it cannot be taken away by failure, loss, or disappointment.
2. Joy Is Anchored in Hope
The Israelites rejoiced on the banks of the Red Sea even though they were still in the wilderness. They celebrated not because everything was perfect, but because they had seen what God could do. In the same way, believers rejoice today not because life is complete, but because God’s work is not finished.
3. Joy Is for Everyone
Happiness creates winners and losers. Joy does not. The angel proclaimed that this great joy would be “to all people.” It was first announced to shepherds—ordinary men with no status—proving that joy is not exclusive. If joy was available to them, it is available to all.
Receiving the Gift of Great Joy
The message of Christmas invites us to stop chasing happiness and start receiving joy. Joy is found not in self-rule but in surrender—bowing our lives before Jesus Christ and trusting Him as Savior and Lord.
This season, the call is clear: lay down the endless pursuit and receive the gift. Great joy is not something we achieve. It is something God has already given—because a Savior has come.
“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy… for unto you is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
