We are reminded on this third Sunday of the Advent season of the JOY that Christ’s redemption of our sinful state brings. Today’s passage of the encounter between the Heavenly Host of angels with the lowly Shepherds will show us the contrast between two states of the human dilemma.

We must look at these shepherds and their encounter with God’s heavenly host of angels & God’s glory as the divine intervention within the human dilemma of sin and depravity. But instead of these shepherds becoming happy, they received a greater gift … JOY!

Joy is the delight of the new soul in Christ. If Christ is in us, there is a delight in Christ!!!

Joy is not the same as happiness. Joy is a love for Christ. Joy is a delight in Christ.