A Reason to Celebrate | Dr. Stephen Tan

Devotional

Day 1: Joy: the flag that shows the King

Joy isn’t a distraction from deep faith; it’s one of its brightest fruits. Scripture reminds us that a glad heart is good medicine and that rejoicing in the Lord is a command, not an afterthought. Holy joy does not ignore pain; it announces that the King is present in the middle of it. Laughter and celebration can become a living testimony that Christ reigns in your heart. Let your countenance preach hope before your words do, and let your home become a small outpost of heaven’s cheer. [05:14]

Philippians 4:4: Keep celebrating the Lord in every season; I’ll say it once more—choose joy.

Reflection: Where could you deliberately choose a practice of joy this week—perhaps a moment of laughter with family, a note of gratitude, or a cheerful face toward a weary coworker—so that your life quietly signals that the King is at home in your heart?

Day 2: Good news for all people: a Savior

Much of what the world calls “good news” leaves someone else disappointed, but heaven’s announcement includes everyone. The angel’s message to the shepherds still stands: a Savior has been born for you today. This is not a distant promise but a present reality, offered to every age, culture, and circumstance. When everything else feels fragile, this one truth holds: Jesus has come to save us from our sins. Let this be the heartbeat of your celebration and the answer when asked why you are joyful. [13:21]

Luke 2:10–11: The messenger said, “Do not fear. I bring news that brings immense joy to all people: today, in David’s town, a Deliverer has been born for you—Messiah, the Lord.”

Reflection: When someone asks how you’re doing this week, how might you answer in a way that points to Jesus as your reason for joy, even if your circumstances haven’t changed?

Day 3: Seekers rejoice: the star leads to worship

The wise men show us that the long road of seeking ends in worship. After months of questions, God’s light guided them to Jesus, and they erupted with overwhelming joy. Their journey didn’t end with mere discovery; it turned into adoration and generous devotion. Your path may feel slow or unclear, but God knows how to lead hearts that keep moving toward Him. Keep seeking, and expect joy to rise as you find Christ again and again. [27:27]

Matthew 2:9–11: After hearing the king, they saw the same star go ahead of them until it paused over the place where the child was. Seeing it, they burst with great joy, entered the house, saw the child with Mary, bowed low in worship, and offered treasures—gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Reflection: What is one concrete step of seeking—an intentional prayer, a planned time in Scripture, or visiting someone who reflects Christ—you can take in the next 48 hours to keep following the light God has set before you?

Day 4: All who seek God will find Him

God is not playing cosmic hide-and-seek; He delights to be found. Jesus invites you to ask, seek, and knock with steady trust. As you bring real needs to a real Savior, doors open, guidance comes, and your faith is strengthened. Emmanuel means God has come near—accessible to shepherds and sages and to you. Keep knocking; you’re not an interruption at God’s door. [37:06]

Matthew 7:7–8: Keep asking and you will receive; keep seeking and you will discover; keep knocking and the way will open. Everyone who asks receives; the seeker discovers; and to the one who knocks, the door opens.

Reflection: Which door have you stopped knocking on with God, and how could you return to it daily for the next seven days with a simple ask-seek-knock prayer?

Day 5: Weeping may linger, but joy will dawn

Faith often walks through nights that feel long and lonely, yet God’s promises carry us toward morning. In Christ, no tear is wasted and no struggle is the end of the story. One day faith will give way to sight, and every hard mile will prove worth it when we see Jesus. Until then, we practice resilient hope, celebrate small dawns, and keep our eyes on the Savior. Your night is not forever, and your joy is not fragile when it rests in Him. [39:26]

Psalm 30:5: His displeasure passes swiftly, but His favor rests for a lifetime; tears may soak the night, yet at daybreak joy arrives.

Reflection: Name the “night” you are in right now; what small, steady practice could help you wait for the morning—such as a nightly psalm, a quiet walk, or asking a trusted friend to check in with you this week?

Sermon Summary

Earlier this year I told the story of my “old people’s shoes.” My kids hated how they looked; I loved how they felt. That little moment reminded me how personal celebration can be—and how what the world applauds is not always what we should cherish. In Christ, joy is not shallow or naive; it is the deep, steady flag that flies when the King is home in our hearts. Scripture says a joyful heart is good medicine and commands us to rejoice in the Lord always. Joy is not unspiritual. It is evidence of the Spirit’s work and a powerful witness to a weary world.

From the Christmas narratives we receive two reasons to celebrate in every season, whatever we are facing. First, there is a Savior and His name is Jesus. Luke tells us the angels brought “good news of great joy for all people.” Try to think of any other news that makes every person on earth rejoice—there isn’t one. But this news is for all: the Savior has come to deal with the universal problem of sin. Not a promise for someday, but “today.” That’s why the shepherds ran, saw, and then told everyone. They had witnessed the one thing that changes everything.

Second, all who seek God will find Him. The wise men traveled long and dark miles with only a memory of a star. Doubts surely came. Yet when the star appeared again, their joy overflowed because their seeking was not in vain. That is the shape of our faith journey. In this life some wrongs remain unrighted and some tears remain. But Jesus promises, “Seek and you will find.” God is not playing cosmic hide-and-seek. He came near—Emmanuel—so common shepherds and learned magi, and everyone in between, could reach Him.

So, why can we celebrate right now? Because the Savior has come, and because seekers will find Him. Let this season—and every season—be marked by a resilient joy that runs faster than fear, laughs louder than despair, and points people to Jesus. Go and be cheerful, not because life is easy, but because Christ is here.

Key Takeaways

1. Joy is a mark of spirituality Joy is not a distraction from serious faith; it’s the fruit of a heart ruled by the Spirit. Scripture presents joy as medicine for the soul and a command to practice, not an optional mood. Choosing joy is not denial but defiance—a witness that the King is present even in pain. This kind of gladness draws people to the hope we carry. [05:14]
2. Celebrate: the Savior has come today The angel’s announcement wasn’t a vague promise; it was a present reality. Joy erupted because rescue had arrived, not because circumstances had changed. We celebrate now because forgiveness and reconciliation with God are already available in Jesus. That is a joy every person on earth actually needs. [14:09]
3. Seeking hearts will find Christ The wise men remind us that faith often walks through silence before it dances in sight. Their long obedience was met with blazing confirmation, and their joy exploded into worship. Jesus promises that honest seeking will not be ignored. Keep moving toward Him; the light will meet you on the road. [28:39]
4. Suffering will not silence our hope Hard journeys are real, but they are not final. God does not minimize our valleys; He accompanies us through them and strengthens us within them. In Christ, adversity can form rather than deform us—clarifying our loves and anchoring our courage. Joy can exist alongside tears and often grows deepest there. [39:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:48] - “Old people’s shoes” and joy
[02:33] - What the world celebrates
[03:37] - Two reasons to rejoice
[04:11] - Joy is deeply spiritual
[08:19] - Shepherds: hearing and seeing
[09:29] - Angel’s good news of great joy
[12:51] - A Savior for all people
[16:30] - Today the Savior is here
[17:27] - Shepherds hurry and tell
[25:03] - Wise men begin their search
[26:17] - The star returns; explosive joy
[28:39] - Seekers find Him—faith rewarded
[33:31] - The Little Match Girl: hope beyond loss
[39:26] - Joy in crisis; go and tell

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
- Luke 2:8-20
- Matthew 2:9-11
- Matthew 7:7-8

Observation questions

In Luke 2:8-20, what specific words in the angel’s message show who the good news is for and when it arrives? Identify the phrase that shows scope (“who”) and the one that shows timing (“when”).
After hearing and seeing, what did the shepherds do next in Luke 2:15-20? List their actions and responses in order.
In Matthew 2:9-11, what exactly made the wise men “rejoice with exceedingly great joy,” and what did they do when they found Jesus?
In Matthew 7:7-8, what are the three actions God calls for, and what are the three promises tied to those actions?

Interpretation questions

“Good news of great joy … to all people” confronts human boundaries. What assumptions about who can come to Jesus are challenged by “to all people”? [09:29]
The angel says the Savior is born “today.” How does the word “today” shape the way someone faces hard news or unresolved problems right now? [16:30]
The wise men walked through a long silence before joy erupted. What does their “exceedingly great joy” teach about God’s timing during seasons of doubt or delay? [28:39]
Scripture commands “Rejoice in the Lord always,” yet joy is also fruit of the Spirit. How can a church obey this command without faking it—and what would healthy, Spirit-born joy look like? [06:40]

Application questions

Think of an “old people’s shoes” kind of joy—something simple and personal that others might not applaud. What is it for you right now, and how will you guard that joy from being drained by others’ opinions? [02:33]
Where this week will you practice “Rejoice in the Lord always”? Name one concrete practice (song, prayer walk, gratitude list, serving someone, etc.) and when you’ll do it. Who can help you keep that plan? [06:40]
The shepherds “came with haste” and then “made widely known” what they had seen. Who is one person you can go to this week, and what is one simple way you can share why Jesus is your joy? [17:27]
What is one area where you’re tempted to stop seeking God (a relationship, a habit, a fear)? What is your next small step to ask, seek, and knock this week, and when will you take it? [35:24]
Where are you carrying pain that has not been fixed yet? How might you hold joy and tears together this week? What help or presence from others would make that possible? [37:06]
“Today” the Savior has come. What is one doable act of celebration you will choose this week (a meal of thanksgiving, a note of praise, serving someone in need) that points you—and maybe someone else—to Jesus? [16:30]
Joy draws people. In your daily places (home, office, school), what would a cheerful, non-plastic presence look like? What boundaries help keep it genuine and not forced? [07:24]

Sermon Clips

You may be thinking, Pastor, everything has gone wrong in my life. I've just received terrible news about a loved one's health. I've just been terminated for my job. I can't make ends meet. I have a broken heart. I have a strained relationship with a colleague, a friend, or a family member. My parents don't understand me. What is there to celebrate and be joyful about this holiday season? I'm here to tell you there are two truths and realities that can help us find joy and give us a reason to celebrate, regardless of what we're going through. [00:03:07] (40 seconds) #JoyDespiteTrials

Now, I want you to stop. Let me ask you a question. Can you think of one news event that will make everyone happy in this current world? Is there one news that you receive that will make you joyful, that will make everyone in the world happy as well? As I thought about it this week, I don't think there is, other than the one the angel will declare. [00:10:27] (28 seconds) #NewsThatUnites

``That is the best news that everyone can certainly acknowledge is great news. There are no negative aspects to the fact that the Savior of the world has come. You see, the first reason all people can celebrate despite the circumstances they may be enduring is this. Number one, there is a Savior and His name is Jesus. There is a Savior and His name is Jesus. [00:14:02] (32 seconds) #JesusIsGoodNews

You know, if I was to give a gift to my kids and I tell them, Daddy's got a Christmas gift for you, it will come in three months. Do you think they're going to be excited? Of course not. The excitement of a child is when they can hold the gift. Can you imagine on Christmas morning you announce to all your kids, your Christmas gifts will all come in three months. They would not be very happy. But boy, are they happy when at that moment they can grab on to that Christmas gift box. So it is with this announcement. Today, the Savior has come. [00:16:36] (46 seconds) #SaviorToday

You see my friends the second reason all people can celebrate despite the circumstances that they are going through is because number two all those who seek God will find him. All those who seek God will find him. You see the journey of the wise men was a journey of faith. For more than a year they did not see the star again. It only appeared the night Jesus was born and they saw it in the east which triggered their journey westward. I'm sure perhaps there were times in their long journey perhaps doubt crept into their minds. [00:28:26] (47 seconds) #SeekAndFind

But when they saw the star again which in verse 9 Matthew notes was the very same star or light they saw in the east their faith was restored their efforts their long journey was worth it and they were celebrating and rejoicing because they found what they were seeking. Their faith was realized and so their journey was worth it. They saw the divine savior Jesus Christ. [00:29:46] (32 seconds) #JourneyWorthIt

Do you know that when we get to heaven we don't need faith anymore? You say what? Faith is so important to the Christian faith but there is no need for faith in heaven. Why? Because we will see the person face to face Jesus Christ whom we have placed our faith and trust in. And at that moment seeing Jesus face to face we will realize that the spiritual faith journey that we have lived out however difficult and whatever the circumstances will be worth it. [00:30:18] (42 seconds) #FaceToFaceFaith

So, my friends, whatever you're going through we all have reasons to celebrate this Christmas season. Why, why? Because there is a savior and his name is Jesus and all those who seek God will find him. So go forth and be happy, rejoicing and celebrating, making sure you tell the world that the reason is because of Jesus Christ our savior whom God made possible for all to receive. May God make you a cheerful, joyful, celebratory follower of Jesus Christ not only in this season but for the rest of your life regardless of what you go through until we see Jesus face to face. [00:40:48] (49 seconds) #CelebrateInChrist

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