Spurgeon’s meditation keeps the focus on the announced subject, which is why we should be supremely happy about the birth of Christ. It is a simple idea, but Spurgeon keeps unfolding more and more nuances, until we begin to think that the subject is inexhaustible. The ​​starting point is the message of the angels to the shepherds. After telling the shepherds not to fear, the angel states reasons why the shepherds should not fear. The first reason is that the angel is bringing tidings of great joy.

The Greatest Birthday

The angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2:10)

The birth of Christ should be the subject of supreme joy. We have the angelic warrant for rejoicing because Christ is born. It is a truth so full of joy that it caused the angel who came to announce it to be filled with gladness. . . . Yea, so glad were angels at this gospel that, when the discourse was over, one angel having evangelized and given out the gospel for the day, suddenly a band of choristers appeared and sang an anthem loud and sweet.

A multitude of the heavenly host had heard that a chosen messenger had been sent to proclaim the new-born King, and, filled with joy and adoration, they gathered up their strength to pursue him, for they could not let him go to earth alone on such an errand. They overtook him just as he had reached the last word of his discourse.

The word made flesh means hope for the human race, notwithstanding its fall. The race is not to be outlawed . . . , for, lo, the Lord hath married into the race, and the Son of God has become the Son of man. This is enough to make all that is within us sing for joy.

Further, it is clear that if God condescends to be so intimately allied with humankind, he intends to deliver man, and to bless him. Incarnation prophesies salvation. . . . When God stoops down to man, it must mean that man is to be lifted up to God. What joy there is in this!

The angel further went on to give these shepherds cause for joy by telling them that while their Savior was born to be the Lord, yet he was so born in lowliness that they would find him a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Is there cause of joy there? I say indeed there is, for it is the terror of the Godhead which keeps the sinner oftentimes away from reconciliation; but see how the Godhead hath graciously concealed itself in a babe. . . . Who ever heard of trembling in the presence of a babe? Yet is the Godhead there.

Nor is this all. The angel called for joy, and I ask for it too, on this ground, that the birth of this child was to bring glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.

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