Shepherds: Hope & Joy

Christmas is often seen as the season of joy but if we stop for a minute and take a look at our lives can we truly say that we are joyful people? Sure we have moments or periods of happiness, but do we live each day with a joy that defies our circumstances and sustains us through the difficult times as well as the good ones? In the Gospel of Luke the angels come to the shepherds and declare to them "good news of great joy." This good news, the news of the birth of Jesus would be news that doesn't bring transient happiness but a joy that surpasses all understanding. Through Christ we have joy that truly endures.