When something is described as great, the meaning is amplified. Like this: I have a wife. vs. I have a great wife. 2 of my daughters have husbands. vs. 2 of my daughters have great husbands. Adding ‘great’ is a game changer. It gives Focus. Clarity. Value. Understanding. It changes the story. Great defined: Greek / Megas - great, large, vast, big, high, tall; mighty, important Reveals: great mass and weightMakes it: large, spacious Adds: measure and height and lengthGives: statureLarge in: number and quantity: numerous, large, abundantCreates: intensity and increased degree: violent, mighty, strong In scientific language - Mega: times 1 million - megaton, megawatt, megahit Luke 2:8-12 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. The word suggests the thought of the Shechinah, or cloud of intolerable brightness, which was the token of the divine presence in the Tabernacle and the Temple. Never before had there been such a manifestation to such men as these. What had been the privilege of patriarchs and priests was now granted to shepherds, and the first proclamation of the glad tidings was to these shepherds. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” And suddenly there was with the angel,....That brought the tidings of Christ's birth to the shepherds: a multitude of the heavenly host: who being caused to fly swiftly, were at once with him, by his side, and about him; and which was a further confirmation of thetruth of his message to them: these were angels who were called an host, or army, the militia of heaven, the ministers of God, that wait upon him, and do his pleasure; and are sent forth to minister to his people, and encamp about them, preserve, and defend them; 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. 1. On this day, Great Joy Came. Great Joy Came by, with & through Jesus. Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. Joy - What comes to mind? Jesus, The word of God, The Spirit of God, the Mercy of God, the Love of God, the Grace of God, My wife, My children, My family in heaven and on earth, His church. Strength. Heaven. Family & Friends who have surrendered to the Love & Grace of God. 3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. This is so true. Joy defined: joy, gladness, cheerfulness - the joy received from you; the cause or occasion of joy - of persons who are one's joy Joy is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, strength, confidence and hope in/from Him. It is something or someone tha
