But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2V10-11

Being “present”(!), brings Joy!

I’m not an angel and hope I don’t cause folks to fear, but I forget the significance of the great Joy I can bring and be. However we support the work of Prison Fellowship Scotland(through visiting prisons, writing and praying), we bring "GOOD news", that will cause "GREAT joy". Yet, our initial response is often fear, and asking, “what should I do, say or write?” What a privilege it is to be a PFS herald to whom we are sent. We were reminded at our Annual Gathering that it is the ministry of turning up; as those angels, shepherds and Magi turned up so many years ago.

The “good news, which will cause great joy” is our Saviour, Jesus, the Messiah, the Lord. We need to present ourselves to Him (daily!), as the shepherds then, making a deliberate choice to respond: to set aside time seeking Him, to be present with Him, to worship Him. Our Saviour, our rescuer; Messiah, the anointed one, the Lord - titles full of meaning, fulfilled in Jesus.

As a child, I learned that JOY comes from placing Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5); fruit we are encouraged to grow, cultivate and share. While the JOY order runs counter to the world, it’s a great way to order our prayers and of course our lives.

By walking alongside people in prison, committing ourselves to showing people the love of Jesus, and continuing to show up, we can bring joy to those in prison, and allow them to bring joy to us, also.

In this season of advent, let us pray that the story of Jesus’ birth can reach those in prisons across Scotland; let’s pray that the Joy of God transcends the prison walls and brings about transformation this Christmas!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and nature sing

Mark Sutherland, Prison Fellowship Scotland Board Member