We are about to embark on a new Christmas tradition and I invite you to join us. Beginning December 1 our family will be reading through the Gospel of Luke, conveniently divided into 24 chapters, which is the perfect number to lead us up to Christmas Eve.
Perhaps some of you already have this tradition. I know of at least one person who does. My friend Christine Trimpe just released a book called, Seeking Joy through the Gospel of Luke – A Christmas to Calvary Advent Countdown. In her book, she invites readers to count down to Christmas by reading one chapter from Luke, accompanied by a chapter of her book. I started my Christmas countdown a few weeks ago. I wanted to continue but had to stop myself because I decided that it would be so much better to do this with my family.
I was surprised to find all the references to joy in Luke. In fact, the word joy is mentioned in this gospel more often than any other book in the New Testament.
In the very first chapter of Luke we meet Zechariah and Elizabeth who rejoiced at answered prayer; they would have a son, and they were to name him John. They were told that this son would not only bring joy to them, but “many will rejoice at his birth” (Luke 1:14).
The angel Gabriel brought this good news to Zechariah. He then went on to tell Mary that she would conceive and give birth to a son named Jesus. When Mary first saw the angel she was troubled, afraid, and confused (Luke 1:29, 30, 34). This gave way to complete surrender to the will of the Lord (Luke 1:38).
Mary hurried to see her cousin Elizabeth to share in her joy. John joined in the joy by leaping inside Elizabeth’s womb which led to Mary’s song of praise,
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.(Luke 1:46–47)
Mary was beginning to understand the magnitude of what was happening. She would be giving birth to the Savior—not just of the world, but for her personally.
Mark Lowry, wrote a beautiful Christmas song entitled “Mary, Did You Know?” One of my favorite parts of that song is when he mentions that the child she delivered would soon deliver her. What a mind-boggling thought,
When the day came for Elizabeth to give birth to John, the Bible tells us that “everyone rejoiced with her”(Luke 1:58). Such a lot of rejoicing! Joy is certainly contagious.
These babies, John and Jesus, represented the fulfillment of a promise.
And you, child, (John) will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord (Jesus) to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76–79)
The Christmas story begins with an incredible amount of joy and anticipation. That joy continued when an angel appeared to the shepherds bringing, “good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:38)
Joy leads to praise in Luke chapter 2 where we meet Simeon and Anna who had been eagerly awaiting the Messiah. “Anna talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem” (Luke 2:40).
Anna didn’t want to keep this good news to herself, and neither should we. I hope that as we read through the Gospel of Luke this year, we too will be overcome by joy, as was God the Father at the baptism of Jesus. “And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy” (Luke 3:22).
The book of Luke begins and ends in joy. It takes us from the cradle to the cross, then tells us of Jesus’s resurrection and finally his ascension in the final verses.
And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:50–53)
I hope you will join me on this journey through the book of Luke. I can’t think of a better way to prepare our hearts for Christmas this season than to be in God’s Word daily. The book of Luke is a great place to start.
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If you would also like to read, Seeking Joy through the Gospel of Luke – A Christmas to Calvary Advent Countdown, it can be purchased through Amazon by clicking on the above link for the paperback, and the below link for the Kindle version. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09L9W4566/
Thank you so much my friend! I love this annual tradition through the Gospel of Luke. So much joy, indeed. I’d love to hear from your readers their favorite Christmas tradition centered on joy:
It is a wonderful Christmas tradition! I appreciate you pointing me in that direction. I, too, would love to hear of other people’s joyful traditions. Thanks, Christine.