And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:9-11

How did the Angel describe the message he was bringing?

What is the message the Angel brought?

Why is this message significant and why is it described the way the angel described it?

How do you define Joy?

Chara: Joy, gladness, delight
Original Word: χαρά

Derived from the Greek verb χαίρω (chairō), meaning “to rejoice” or “to be glad.”
Usage: In the New Testament, “chara” is used to describe a deep, abiding sense of joy and gladness that is rooted in spiritual realities rather than external circumstances. It is often associated with the presence of the Holy Spirit and the believer’s relationship with God. This joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and is characterized by a sense of inner peace and contentment that transcends worldly troubles.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, joy was often linked to external circumstances, such as success, wealth, or pleasure. However, the New Testament redefines joy as a spiritual state that is independent of external conditions. This Christian understanding of joy is deeply connected to the hope and assurance found in Jesus Christ, His resurrection, and the promise of eternal life. The early Christians experienced joy even amidst persecution and suffering, viewing it as a testament to their faith and the presence of God in their lives.

Check this out:
Xar is the root word of Joy: Chara, Grace: Charis and Rejoice: Chairo!
Xar = to lean toward or to be favorably disposed toward.
So, Joy and Rejoicing is the response to the awareness of God’s grace and not dependent on external circumstances.

What does the Good news, the savior and Joy then, tell us about God?

What is necessary for us to experience Joy as a result of God’s favorable disposition towards us?

Do you feel differently when you know that someone accepts and likes you compared to when you believe someone doesn’t? Explain.

How can we help others to see that’s God’s disposition towards them is favorable so that they might be joyful?