What happened next is what I want to write about. After scoring the touchdown, jubilation broke out. The sidelines emptied. Joyous players met in the end zone with jumping, shouting, hugging and high fiving! No one told them to celebrate. No cheerleader had to prompt them to shout or to jump. They did it because they won! Instant joy. Spontaneous celebration. In Luke 2, the Bible records that after the angels told the shepherds about the newborn Savior that they went to Bethlehem to see for themselves.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2: 15-20).

The shepherds returned with genuine joy. They celebrated among themselves by praising and glorifying God for the Salvation they had seen. Having God with us is reason to celebrate. Having our sins forgiven is motivation for joy. Being subjects of God’s favor through the grace of His Son should fill our hearts with praise.

No one should have to tell us to celebrate it should just happen. God touched down! We win! Let’s celebrate. Heaven came down and glory filled my soul.