Isaiah knew that great joy when he preached of the feet of him who brings good news on the mountain—being beautiful because that man is bringing good news of happiness. He’s publishing salvation. He’s saying to Zion, “Your God reigns.” It’s okay. The war is over. God has brought peace through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Isaiah prophesied that the Lord Jesus would be the one on whom the Spirit of the Lord God is—the one anointed by the Lord to bring good news to the poor, to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes. What is Jesus bringing, according to Isaiah? He brings the oil of gladness instead of mourning.
That’s why Christmas is such a happy time—because we remember the angel saying to the shepherds that he was bringing good news of great joy for all the people. The good news of great joy is that, on Christmas Day, was born a Saviour—who is Christ the Lord.
That’s exactly what happens: it’s how Luke’s Gospel begins—with the shepherds—and it’s how Luke’s Gospel ends—with the apostles worshipping him after his ascension and returning to Jerusalem with great joy. And Luke continues that theme in his second volume, Acts. As the book goes on, the Gentiles begin to rejoice and glorify the word of the Lord, and the disciples are filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
