Joy In The Saviour's Reign (Songs of Christmas - Part 3) // 14.12.2025

Christmas joy is not sentimental nostalgia or the pursuit of perfect moments; it is the loud, unshakable announcement that the King has come and will come again. Rooted in Psalm 98 and echoed by Luke 2, Joy to the World proclaims more than a manger scene—it celebrates the reign of Christ. The refrain “the Lord is come” signals a present, active rule that began at the Incarnation and will culminate at His return. This joy looks back with gratitude for grace accomplished and looks forward with hope for grace to be revealed, living in the tension of the “already and not yet.”

True joy is not circumstantial, seasonal, or manufactured by achievement. It is received as a gift from God’s presence. The shepherds’ lives did not improve overnight: they remained poor, overlooked, and night-shift workers under Roman rule. Yet everything changed because Jesus entered their world. Joy is not the absence of problems; it is the presence of the King. When Christ takes His rightful place in the heart, joy stabilizes, deepens, and resists collapse under pressure. It becomes louder than fear and more durable than temporary happiness.

This joy is also expressive and overflowing. Scripture calls for jubilant praise—the kind that rivers and mountains seem to emulate and that refuses to remain silent or reserved. Having encountered Christ, the shepherds ran, worshiped, and “spread the word.” Real joy becomes a witness: people notice joy that survives difficulty and listen to those whose hope endures bad news.

Even the promise of judgment becomes fuel for joy. Biblically, judgment means evil will not win, injustice will not last, and suffering will not be forever. Christ’s righteous reign guarantees that all things will be made right, which sustains resilient worship in the present.

Two practices animate this joy in everyday life. First, choose joy by focusing on God’s faithfulness rather than life’s frustrations; feelings often follow obedience. Second, spread joy through intentional words, prayers, and acts of generosity; joy grows when shared. Sadness and joy can coexist, but joy need not yield the ground. In this season and beyond, let earth receive her King—by remembering, anticipating, and living under His good and gracious reign.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Joy rests on the Savior’s reign Joy isn’t found in everything going right but in Someone ruling right now. “The Lord is come” reframes Christmas as coronation, not mere nostalgia. When His reign defines reality, joy can endure pressure without collapsing. Let worship proclaim what circumstances cannot silence. [16:06]
• 2. Receive joy, don’t chase perfection Joy is a gift to be received, not a destination earned once life finally stabilizes. The shepherds’ world didn’t change, yet Jesus’ presence changed them. Waiting for perfect conditions forfeits present grace; receiving Christ brings joy into imperfect places. [13:43]
• 3. Joy overflows into bold witness Authentic joy refuses containment—it runs to Jesus, worships, and speaks. The shepherds “spread the word,” and creation itself joins the chorus. Expressive praise and everyday testimony become the natural language of hearts ruled by the King. [17:37]
• 4. Judgment promises the end of evil God’s judgment is not bad news for the believer; it guarantees that sin, injustice, and suffering won’t have the final say. That future right-making fuels present resilience and praise. Joy grows when hope is anchored in His righteous rule. [20:13]
• 5. Choose and share joy intentionally Joy often begins as a decision to look at God’s faithfulness rather than life’s flaws. Then it multiplies as it’s shared—through encouragement, prayer, generosity, and presence. Intentionality turns joy from a feeling into a mission. [22:30]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:18] - Series recap: Hope and Peace
• [01:37] - Psalm 98 roots of Joy to the World
• [02:27] - The Lord is come: King and reign
• [03:16] - Looking back and forward to His return
• [04:20] - True joy vs seasonal happiness
• [05:13] - Psalm 98: loud joyful praise
• [08:17] - Luke 2: Good news of great joy
• [10:22] - Joy announced to overlooked shepherds
• [13:43] - Joy received, not achieved
• [16:59] - Joy overflowing: witness to others
• [19:50] - Joy in righteous judgment
• [22:30] - Choose joy: focus on faithfulness
• [24:43] - Spread joy: intentional acts
• [30:30] - Prayer and sending

Bible reading

Psalm 98:4-9

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

Observation questions

1. In Psalm 98:4-9, what action words and images are used to describe praise (for example, shout, burst into song, rivers clapping, mountains singing)? What stands out to you about the volume and joy of this worship?
2. How does Psalm 98:9 connect joy with God’s judgment? What words are used to describe how He judges, and why might that matter for joy?
3. According to Luke 2:8-11, who received the first announcement and what exactly was announced? How do the phrases “good news,” “great joy,” and “for all people” shape your understanding of the message? [08:17]
4. The phrase “the Lord is come” was emphasized as present-tense, highlighting a reign, not just a moment. What difference does that make for how we sing and live “Joy to the World”? [02:41]

Interpretation questions

1. If the gospel is “good news,” not “good advice,” what does that say about where joy comes from and how it grows in a person’s life? [11:14]
2. Why would God choose shepherds—the overlooked and undervalued—to receive the first announcement? What does that reveal about who this joy is for and how it spreads? [12:43]
3. “Joy is not the absence of problems; it is the presence of the King.” How does that reshape expectations for the Christian life in hard seasons? [15:28]
4. Psalm 98 says the Lord will judge the world with righteousness and equity. Why can that promise increase joy instead of fear, especially when facing injustice and suffering now? [19:50]

Application questions

1. Where are you waiting for life to “settle down” before you’ll be joyful (money, work, family tension, health)? What is one concrete step you can take this week to receive joy as a gift in the middle of that—not after it changes? [13:43]
2. Name one specific “joy thief” you face in this season. What would it look like to turn your focus back to Jesus right there this week (a prayer, a Scripture you’ll rehearse, a choice you’ll make)? [26:50]
3. What daily habit could help you “choose joy by focusing on God’s faithfulness”—for example, a three-line gratitude list at night, praying Psalm 98 in the morning, or sharing a weekly testimony with a friend? Pick one and start. [22:30]
4. Where have you kept worship quiet and reserved? What is one way you will practice expressive praise this week (singing out, lifted hands, spoken thanks), letting your body and voice agree with your heart? [05:13]
5. Who needs you to “spread joy” this week? Choose one person and one simple act—text, call, coffee, prayer, a small gift—and decide when you’ll do it. Joy grows when shared. [24:43]
6. Think of one injustice, wrong, or painful situation you carry. How will the promise of Jesus’ righteous judgment fuel your endurance and hope in that place this week? Be specific. [20:13]
7. People notice a joy that survives difficulty. Where can your group display that kind of steady joy together this month (serving someone in need, visiting someone lonely, praying for a struggling family)? Make a plan and a date. [20:53]