Yes indeed.

One of the striking things about the first Christmas is the announcement of good tidings. Of all the Gospels, the Gospel of Luke is the most explicit. The angel Gabriel says to Mary, “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end!” (Luke 1:31-33).

Later, an angel — soon joined by “a multitude of the heavenly host” — piles up exclamations one on top of another and says to the shepherds, “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people! To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!” (Luke 2:10-11).

And Simeon, an old prophet who was awaiting the consolation of Israel, cries out to God when he sees the infant Jesus, “My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for a revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32).

As one reads on in the Gospel, however, joy does not appear on every page.

Read it all.