No, it’s not December as I write. The word JOY brought this passage to my mind on this spring day. What is the “good news of great joy” that the angels announce? Those five words represent an eternity of preparation and years of history, that culminate in a birth account that no one could make up. 

“This is an amazing story. I’ve read it to my daughter many times since I heard it last year! It has everything! Omens, dreams, romance, magic, tragedy!” 

So a young mother in my English class described the Christmas account after a holiday party in my home. 

Some of us have grown up with the Christmas story being part of our December celebration. In our home? At a school pageant? In a movie? It might have been Biblically accurate or perhaps some license was taken. 

But amazing? Did I think it then? And what about now? Do I think it “has everything”? 

Seeing any aspect of our faith through others’ eyes, especially in another culture, is like a set of new glasses. The questions, the doubts, the rejection, the wonder and yes, the amazement force one to look anew at what might be treasured but unchallenged.  

Colleagues, students, local believers, and teammates all have shed new light on an account I thought I knew. Sometimes it was unsettling, eye-opening, and encouraging all at the same time. 

“So many dreams! The astronomers and her boyfriend believed them! I think I might have wanted more proof.”  

“She knew so much about her god.” 

“Her boyfriend didn’t desert her!” 

“How could astronomers and a king know about one baby’s birth?”  

“Does anyone care that all those little boys were killed?” 

“We also have a story where a spirit makes a girl pregnant.”

“Still don’t understand how a baby can save people from anything.” 

“Angels sang to shepherds! Why shepherds?” 

I’m thankful for each question and observation. Each reveals a miraculous part of this amazing birth that brought salvation to all. And that is the good news of great joy!