Finding Joy and Hope in Christ's Birth

Devotional

Day 1: Finding Joy in Jesus Amidst Life's Challenges

In the midst of life's burdens and anxieties, focusing on Jesus brings true joy. The wise men, who traveled far to find Jesus, serve as an example of intentional pursuit. Their journey was not without challenges, yet their focus on Jesus led them to a profound joy that surpassed their circumstances. Similarly, when we make Jesus our intentional focus, we find joy and peace that transcends our life's challenges. This joy is not dependent on external situations but is rooted in the presence of Jesus in our lives. [30:31]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you can intentionally focus on Jesus today to find joy and peace?

Day 2: Experiencing God's Glory in Darkness

God often reveals His glory in the darkest times of our lives. The shepherds, considered lowly and insignificant, were the first to hear the good news of Jesus' birth. This illustrates that God shows up in dark places, bringing light and hope. In our own dark times, we can see God's glory and hear His good news, which is both universal and personal. It is in these moments that we often hear God's good news most clearly, as His presence becomes a beacon of hope and light in our lives. [41:26]

Psalm 139:11-12 (ESV): "If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,' even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you."

Reflection: Think of a recent dark moment in your life. How did you experience God's presence and glory during that time?

Day 3: The Gospel's Universal and Personal Message

The gospel is both universal and personal. While it proclaims the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ to all, it also speaks uniquely to each of us in our specific life situations. This dual nature of the gospel means that while it is a message for the entire world, it also addresses our individual needs and circumstances. It is a living hope that sustains us, offering comfort and guidance in our personal journeys. [53:04]

Colossians 1:26-27 (ESV): "The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Reflection: How has the gospel spoken to you personally in your current life situation? What specific message do you feel God is communicating to you?

Day 4: Understanding God's Good News in Bad News

Sometimes, we only fully understand God's good news when we are in the midst of bad news. It is in these moments that the promises of God become real and manifest in our lives. The challenges and trials we face often serve as a backdrop for God's faithfulness and love to shine through. In the midst of adversity, we can find solace in the promises of God, which offer hope and assurance that He is with us, working all things for our good. [57:26]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent difficult situation. How did you see God's promises become real in your life during that time?

Day 5: Sharing God's Gift in Darkness

Even in our dark times, we are called to share the good news of Jesus with others. Our experiences with God's glory and His word inspire us to witness and worship, even when we are still in the dark. This Christmas, let us walk in the light of Jesus, finding joy and hope in His presence. By sharing our testimonies and the hope we have in Christ, we can be a source of encouragement and light to those around us, even in the midst of our own struggles. [02:04:29]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus today? How can you share your experience of God's light and hope with them?

Sermon Summary

In this time of worship and reflection, we gather to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This season, while joyous for many, can also be a time of burden and grief for others. We are reminded that by focusing on Jesus, we can find true joy, even amidst life's challenges. Like the wise men who found joy in their intentional pursuit of Jesus, we too can find joy when we make Him our focus. Jesus, the precious Lamb of God, was born into this world to take away our sins, offering us the gift of grace and salvation.

As we pray for ourselves and others, we remember those who are grieving and burdened, asking God to bring comfort, peace, and hope. We are grateful for the Savior, Comforter, Healer, and Provider that we have in Jesus Christ. This season, let us not be distracted by material gifts but remember the ultimate gift of Jesus, who died on the tree for our salvation.

The story of the shepherds in the fields reminds us that God often reveals His glory in the darkest of times. The shepherds, considered lowly and insignificant, were the first to hear the good news of Jesus' birth. This illustrates that God shows up in dark places, bringing light and hope. In our own dark times, we can see God's glory and hear His good news, which is both universal and personal.

The gospel is not just an ancient story but a living hope that sustains us. It is in our darkest moments that we often hear God's good news most clearly. As we experience God's presence, we are called to share this gift with others, even while we are still in the dark. This Christmas, let us walk in the light of Jesus, finding joy and hope in His presence.

Key Takeaways

1. Focus on Jesus for True Joy: In the midst of life's burdens and anxieties, focusing on Jesus brings true joy. Like the wise men, when we make Jesus our intentional focus, we find joy and peace that surpasses our circumstances. [30:31]
2. God's Glory in Darkness: God often reveals His glory in the darkest times of our lives. Just as the shepherds saw God's glory in the night, we too can experience His presence most profoundly in our darkest moments. [41:26]
3. The Gospel's Universal and Personal Message: The gospel is both universal and personal. While it proclaims the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ to all, it also speaks uniquely to each of us in our specific life situations. [53:04]
4. God's Good News in Bad News: Sometimes, we only fully understand God's good news when we are in the midst of bad news. It is in these moments that the promises of God become real and manifest in our lives. [57:26]
5. Sharing God's Gift in Darkness: Even in our dark times, we are called to share the good news of Jesus with others. Our experiences with God's glory and His word inspire us to witness and worship, even when we are still in the dark. [02:04:29]
** [124:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[22:46] - Rejoicing in Worship
[30:31] - Focus on Jesus for Joy
[31:50] - Intercessory Prayer
[33:47] - Thanksgiving for Jesus
[35:42] - Renewed Joy and Peace
[39:42] - Worthy is the Lamb
[40:15] - Welcoming Visitors
[50:54] - Youth Ministry Blessing
[56:19] - God Sent Us a King
[60:17] - Family Time Reminder
[62:10] - Offering Time
[63:38] - Call to Faithful Giving
[66:42] - Prayer for Provision
[71:47] - Preparing for the Word
[88:10] - Christmas in a Dark Place
[92:20] - Cutting Holes in the Darkness
[93:57] - God is Here
[95:22] - The Incarnation of Christ
[96:37] - God's Presence in Darkness
[99:55] - God Shows Up in Dark Places
[101:26] - Seeing God's Glory in Darkness
[102:48] - Valuing God's Light
[103:55] - God's Glory Revealed
[108:37] - God's Work in the Dark
[110:45] - Hearing God's Good News
[111:53] - The Gospel's Universal Message
[113:04] - The Gospel's Particular Message
[115:30] - God's Good News for You
[117:26] - God's Promises in Bad News
[120:42] - Sharing God's Gift
[122:07] - Responding with Praise
[124:29] - Witnessing in the Dark
[127:40] - Walking in the Light
[132:14] - Invitation to Faith
[135:08] - Final Blessing

Sermon Clips

Let's be like the wise men this morning who made Jesus their intentional focus. And when they found Jesus, they also found joy. They found that precious lamb of God who died. Who takes away the sin of the world. The one who was born into sin that we may live again. [00:31:26] (29 seconds)

We thank you for the Lamb of God whose name is Jesus Christ and it's in his name we pray amen and thank God come on put your hands together for prayer as you go trusting as you go believing. Bless him. Come on, bless the lamb of God. Bless the lamb of God. [00:37:07] (128 seconds)

To say it another way, that when you and I look through the windows of our own lives and see the darkness in our own worlds, Christmas reminds us that God came to us in the form of a man. God came to us in a baby named Jesus to cut out holes in the dark places of our lives with the light. [01:33:22] (33 seconds)

Darkness is a good place to see God because in darkness I can see God's glory, but also in darkness I can hear God's good news. Shepherds, they're in the dark. They see God's glory. And upon seeing their terrified reactions, the angel tempers their terror by telling them, do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you, here it is, good news. [01:51:53] (30 seconds)

The gospel is good news. But notice the broad extent of the good news that the angel says he's come to proclaim. It's not just for some people, but he says, I've come to proclaim good news. What does it say? It says, for all, for all people. [01:53:04] (22 seconds)

And in the same way church I'm moving but there's there's a gospel there's a good news for you too but sometimes you can't understand that good news you can't comprehend the gospel the good news fully until you're in one of life's dark places until you find yourself living in one of life's dark nights. [01:55:30] (33 seconds)

God shows up in the dark places of our lives to confront us with the fullness of his glory, to communicate to us a gospel that is both particular and universal, but also to move us, church, to a place where we can become willing participants in sharing in the work of bringing glory to God's name. [02:00:42] (32 seconds)

The darkness, it's a good place to see God. You can see God's glory. You can hear God's good news, but then you can go and share God's gift with other people. [02:02:07] (20 seconds)

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