It was a dark night...as most nights are. Not a lot was going on in the pasture. The animals settled in for the evening as weary men stood guard. Another ordinary day coming to a routine end. Suddenly a strange being appeared. Something brilliant, beautiful, and magnificent broke through the darkness and shone all around them. The men were absolutely terrified. Then that strange being said, "Do not be afraid."

So, what do you think? Did those men instantly become brave and calm? Would you have? Seriously, think about what had just happened. I'm more inclined to believe they were still terrified, even progressing to the "I need to change my underwear" mode. But this strange being continued.

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

We know this strange being was an angel of God. It was God's glory shining down on these frightened men. The angel had come not to harm them, as they likely thought, but to declare that the Messiah had been born. He gave them directions for how to find the child, then was joined by a whole flock...uh, gaggle...herd...bunch of others, all proclaiming praises to God. And, poof, they were gone.

Somehow these men weren't so terrified anymore. Maybe they did become braver and calmer, or perhaps it was simply curiosity that drove them to "see this thing that has happened." History doesn't say anything about bravery, calmness or curiosity. But it does tell us something very significant. The angel said he brought them good news, but not just any good news. This was good news of great joy.

What is joy? According to one dictionary, joy is "the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying." Similar words given are gratification, satisfaction, liveliness, indulgence, transport (yeah, I didn't get that one either), merriment, pride, and ecstasy. That last one sounded interesting. Ecstasy-an overpowering emotion of exaltation; rapturous delight.

Yes! That's it. Those men were overpowered by an emotion of exaltation that exploded with rapturous delight. It was happiness to the extreme, caused by something exceptional. Have you ever seen that?

A few weeks ago I had lunch with the Inklings, a group of Christian authors in the Atlanta area. While we were chatting away, something exceptional happened. A young man who worked at the restaurant came to our table, I assumed to take our plates. Instead, he gave each of us a one dollar bill. Was there a coupon I'd missed? Had we paid too much? Was the management paying us to leave?

As we protested, the young man, Cameron, told us that he attended 12Stone, a church in the area, and had a hundred dollars to give out as a blessing to others. Ordinarily I would have asked, "Well, where's the rest of my money?", but I was completely captivated by this guy's joy. I had not seen anything like it in a long time. Extreme happiness, exaltation, rapturous delight...all right there.

It's a funny thing. Everyone at that table is a strong, devoted Christian. Some would argue the young man had wasted his money. He should have given the dollar bills to those in need or at least to non-Christians. We didn't need the money. But you know what? They would be wrong. Cameron gave us something incredible---the gift of joy. We saw it beaming from his face, and we felt it alive in our souls.

At that moment I understood what those men in that lonely pasture felt that night and why they had to go to Bethlehem to find the child. Joy moves! Joy fills! Joy excites! Joy thrills! And you just can't stop it!

This season and for all the days that follow, may God's joy be in you and may your joy be complete!