PASTORAL MESSAGE: Good Tidings of Great Joy

By DAVID ANDERSON
President, Mesquite East Stake
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Luke 2
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

We are reminded as we read the scriptures that we should be of good cheer. We are taught that the birth of Jesus Christ is a message of GREAT JOY.

In the scriptures, the word ‘joy’ typically means much more than passing moments of contentment or even feelings of happiness. Joy in this context is a godly attribute, found in its fulness when we return to dwell in the presence of God. And in these days, being of good cheer is part of being valiant in the testimony of Jesus.

The gospel message is a message of hope, of ‘good tidings of great joy,’ and the means whereby all can experience peace and occasions of joy in this life and receive a fulness of joy in the life to come.

The joy we speak of is a gift for the faithful, yet it comes with a price. Joy is not cheap or casually given. Rather, it is bought ‘with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.’

During this season of remembering the ‘greatest gift’ we often reflect and ask “what is a gift that I could give back to the Savior”?
May I suggest two gifts that brings GREAT JOY to the Savior.

Gift one:
While in mortality the Savior often faced condemnation and ridicule for receiving and eating with sinners. The Savior showed great compassion for all of God’s children—especially for those who were suffering or had fallen away. They were often referred to as ‘lost’ and were the central figures in the parables of the Savior. One such parable gives us the answer to our question “what is a gift that I could give back to the Savior”?

Luke 15
3 ¶ And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Simply stated – give the gift of repentance. Turn back to God. He feels great joy when those who are lost are found.

Gift two:
Accept the invitation to “Come unto Me”!
Matthew 11
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
There is only one way to true happiness and fulfillment. Jesus Christ is the way.

Finally, I testify that what a wise man once wrote is true: “If you have not chosen the kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.”

Having so chosen the kingdom of God, may He bless us all to repent and may we all come unto the source of comfort and joy!