The birth of Jesus ushered into the world a true Day of joy. The announcement of his coming, his presence in Mary's womb and his actual birth brought joy into the life of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Zachariah and to the shepherds. The message of the angel states it clearly: "I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David has been born for you who is Christ and Lord." The joy of his birth and life is to permeate ours as he said: "These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled."  In response to his gift of joy, we can choose to have a positive, hope-filled, joyful outlook and so bring this joy to others. Reflect on Pope Francis' words: "A Christian is a man, or a woman, of joy: a man and a woman with joy in their heart. There is no Christian without joy!...The Christian identity card is joy, the Gospel’s joy, the joy of having been chosen by Jesus, saved by Jesus, regenerated by Jesus; the joy of that hope that Jesus is waiting for us, the joy that - even with the crosses and sufferings we bear in this life - is expressed in another way, which is peace in the certainty that Jesus accompanies us, is with us."