Joy in a World of Sadness.
A few thoughts on why the birth of Jesus was and is "good news of great joy."
If you sit quietly for a moment and think about the state of the world—or even your own life—it’s easy to understand why joy often feels so elusive. We live in a world where conflict, pain, and loss seem ever-present. Joy can feel more like a dream than a reality.
But this third week of Advent reminds us that the birth of Jesus means true joy isn’t rooted in perfect circumstances; it’s anchored in God’s unchanging love and presence.
The Struggles of Jesus’ World
The world Jesus was born into wasn’t much different from ours in its brokenness. God’s people faced economic inequality, cultural tension, and unmet expectations, all under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire. Here are just a few of the challenges they endured:
Roman Occupation: Heavy taxes and Roman soldiers in their streets created a constant sense of fear and humiliation.
Spiritual Silence: For 400 years, since the prophet Malachi, there had been no prophetic voice in Israel. Many felt distant from God, wondering if He had forgotten them.
Religious Corruption: Religious leaders were often aligned with their oppressors, and infighting among groups like the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots created deep divisions.
This was the backdrop of Jesus’ birth—a time when joy was in short supply. So when an angel appeared to shepherds and declared, “I proclaim to you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10), it must have seemed almost too good to be true.
Those shepherds had to wonder why Jesus’ birth “good news of great joy”? And my guess is, you find yourself asking a similar question from time to time. Why is Jesus’ birth still “good news of great joy?”
If we fast forward about 30 years in Jesus’ life, I think He gives us that answer in Luke 4.
Jesus’ Ministry: Good News of Great Joy
In Luke 4, Jesus stands up in his home synagogue one Sabbath and reads from Isaiah 61 to summarize His ministry:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
(Luke 4:18-19)
Jesus said the Holy Spirit had “anointed” Him, in the sense of commissioned Him, to “preach good news to the poor.”
In first-century Mediterranean culture, “poor” would have had a wider meaning than mere money. In this culture, status was determined by a combination of things like education, gender, family heritage, religious purity, and your vocation. So when Jesus says He brings “good news to the poor,” he’s saying that he has good news for those deemed outside the bounds of God’s family. Jesus’ primary ministry was to bring good news to outsiders.
But this still leaves us with the question of the nature of that “good news.” How was and is Jesus’ ministry good news?
Through this passage, Jesus offers three reasons why His birth and ministry are good news for all people:
1. Restoration to Relationship
Jesus proclaimed “release to the captives.”
The Jewish people knew captivity well. They had been slaves in Egypt, exiles in Babylon, and now they lived under Roman oppression. But Jesus wasn’t promising political freedom; He was offering something far greater. Jesus came to set all people free from anything that hinders relationship with God—fear, shame, regret, or even sin itself.
Imagine being a prisoner of war, confined to a cell for years. Suddenly, you hear the sound of keys jingling, and the door swings open. The overwhelming sense of relief and joy you would experience in that moment is merely a glimpse of the freedom Jesus offers.
Reflection: Take just a moment and consider where you feel imprisoned in your life. Is it fear, shame, or regret? Picture Jesus kicking down that prison door, extending His hand, and with love in His eyes, inviting you come home.
2. Revelation of God’s Presence
Jesus also came to bring “recovery of sight to the blind.”
This wasn’t just about physical healing—though Jesus did perform miracles of that kind. It was also about spiritual blindness. Many in Jesus’ day, like many of us today, were blind to God’s presence and grace, trapped by legalism or unaware of His work in their lives.
Consider Jacob’s story in Genesis 28. After betraying his brother and fleeing for his life, Jacob was alone and broken. But one night, he dreamed of God’s promises and woke up saying, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” (V16)
Jesus opens our eyes to God’s presence in our lives, even when we feel lost or confused.
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you feel blind to God’s work? Pray this simple prayer: “Jesus, open the eyes of my heart so I can see You.”
3. Re-creation of God’s Kingdom
Finally, Jesus declared “the year of the Lord’s favor,” a reference to the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25). This was a time of economic and social reset when debts were forgiven, slaves freed, and land restored.
Jesus used this image to announce the arrival of God’s kingdom—a kingdom where brokenness is being made whole and all things are being renewed. The work is slow and we can’t always see it, but His kingdom is being built.
Think of it like a puzzle. When you start, all you see is a mess of disconnected pieces. It’s hard to imagine how they’ll ever come together to create the beautiful image on the box. But slowly, piece by piece, the picture takes shape. That’s what God is doing through His kingdom work.
What’s incredible is that we, as individuals, are invited to participate in this kingdom-building process. Every time we grant Jesus authority in our lives, we contribute to the expansion of His kingdom. Every act of kindness and goodness we perform strengthens His kingdom. And in a world that often seems beyond repair, here’s some encouraging news: Jesus’ kingdom will ultimately prevail.
Reflection: Where might Jesus be inviting you to partner with His kingdom work? How can you bring light and healing to your relationships, workplace, or community?
Finding Joy in Jesus
The birth of Jesus is truly good news. It’s a reminder that joy isn’t tied to perfect circumstances but to the unshakable truth of who Jesus is and what He offers:
Restoration: Freedom from anything that separates us from God.
Revelation: Eyes opened to God’s presence and grace.
Re-creation: A kingdom where all things are being made new.
As you sit with these truths, consider this: Where do you need Jesus to restore, reveal, or recreate something in your life?
Advent invites us to embrace the whole story of Christmas—the joy and the hope, even in the midst of struggle. Jesus was born to restore, reveal, and recreate, and He’s still doing that work today.
So let’s respond to His invitation. Take a moment to surrender your struggles to Him. Ask Him to bring His joy into your life—not because everything is perfect, but because He is.
Let’s celebrate that joy this Advent season, even in a world of sadness.
“What’s incredible is that we, as individuals, are invited to participate in this kingdom-building process. Every time we grant Jesus authority in our lives, we contribute to the expansion of His kingdom.”
This stuck with me from the sermon. You said, “His Kingdom isn’t just coming in the world ‘out there’, it’s coming in you. With every act of His healing you give health instead of brokenness to the generations coming after you.”