Great Joy: The Redeeming Birth of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Great joy announced to all people at Christ’s birth.

The birth of Jesus was proclaimed as good news of great joy for everyone—angels and the lowly alike. The glory of the Lord broke into the fields where shepherds kept watch, and that same redemptive joy still reaches across every divide today. Go to where God is pointing, embrace the gift, and then hurry to share what you have seen and heard. [40:09]

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Reflection: Who in your life feels like the “lowly” shepherds—overlooked or on the margins—and what one concrete step will you take this week to share the good news of Jesus with them?

Day 2: Fullness of joy even amid life’s trials.

True joy runs deeper than happiness and can overflow even in difficult seasons; the psalmist’s cup runs over despite the valley. That fullness comes from God’s presence, rest, and covenant love—joy that steadies the heart when circumstances press in. Invite God into your valley and let His presence fill you with a joy that transcends the moment. [29:43]

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Reflection: Name one current trouble or “valley” you’re walking through; what specific practice (scripture reading, quiet time, prayer, worship) will you do daily this week to invite God’s presence and let your cup run over?

Day 3: Rejoice in the Lord always, not circumstances.

Rejoicing is a choice rooted in relationship with Jesus rather than in changing situations; it’s possible even in the mundane. When life feels repetitive or burdensome, intentionally return to the Lord and let His presence reshape ordinary routines into wells of joy. This is a daily discipline—seek God first and reclaim joy in the little moments. [51:26]

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Reflection: Pick one routine this week (commute, chores, work break). How will you intentionally turn that moment into an act of rejoicing—what exact words, song, prayer, or scripture will you use to reorient your heart to the Lord?

Day 4: Joy endures through sorrow and cannot be taken.

Jesus promised that sorrow does not have the final word: though there is grief now, joy will return and no one can steal it. That enduring joy is anchored in His presence and in the certainty of seeing Him again; it becomes a sustaining hope through hard seasons. Hold to that promise—let present sorrow point you toward the unshakable joy to come. [50:12]

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

Reflection: Think of a past sorrow that later yielded joy—what concrete reminders (a verse, a photo, a story) can you place where you’ll see them this week to remind you that God’s joy endures?

Day 5: God’s great joy is to present us blameless.

God’s joy is redemptive—He delights in rescuing sinners and presenting them blameless before His glorious presence. This joy is not earned by human effort but is the gift of grace; recognizing the depth of our need helps us truly grasp the width of His joy. Receive that gift, let it change your posture toward God, and then share that joy with others. [37:35]

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

Reflection: What one truth about your sin and God’s grace do you need to see more clearly? Name it, confess it to God this week, and accept His joy as your identity so you can share it with someone else.

Sermon Summary

Joy gets a lot of airtime at Christmas, but we often confuse it with happiness. Happiness is when the waitress gets your order right or a sweet call from a granddaughter makes you smile. Joy runs deeper. Joy is a gift from God because it’s part of God’s very character—alive, active, and able to hold us steady regardless of circumstances. That’s why the Bible speaks of joy overflowing even in valleys, like Psalm 23’s cup that “runneth over.” Joy isn’t something we manufacture; it’s something we receive in God’s presence.

We walked through the rich biblical language of joy—from festival gladness to covenant joy to that ecstatic joy that makes you want to spin around. But Scripture also speaks of “great joy,” a unique, over-the-top joy that always accompanies God’s redeeming work. You see it when God raises up a king, preserves His people, rebuilds a wall, empties a tomb. And at the center stands Luke 2: the angel’s announcement of “good news of great joy” because a Savior has been born. That is joy at the deepest level—God’s answer to our real problem, not just political oppression or life’s inconveniences, but the bondage of sin.

In Bethlehem, heaven’s host and earth’s lowly shepherds stood on the same ground. Great joy crossed every divide—status, race, past—and was declared “for all people.” Yet joy doesn’t eliminate hardship; it reorders it. In God’s presence, fear becomes reverence, and troubles lose their power to define us. Joy is not circumstantial; it’s relational. Jesus promised a joy no one can take away, and by the Spirit, that joy is available daily.

So what do we do? We do what the shepherds did. We go and see—we embrace Jesus. We spread the word—we share joy. And we keep glorifying God—we live joy. The “bad news” is we’re sinners who don’t deserve this. The good news is better than we dared to hope: a Savior has come. The more clearly we grasp the depth of our sin, the more fully we taste the expanse of God’s joy—a joy that reaches from the heights of heaven to the humblest place in our lives and keeps us steady, singing, and generous in every season.

Key Takeaways

1. Joy is God’s presence, not circumstances Joy does not depend on what is happening around you; it flows from Who is with you. Because joy is part of God’s character, it is living and steady even when life is not. In God’s presence, fear turns into reverent awe, and troubles shrink in the light of His nearness. Receive joy by drawing near to Him, not by fixing every problem. [48:21]
2. Great joy signals redemption at work Whenever Scripture says “great joy,” God is doing more than improving conditions—He is redeeming. From Passover to the empty tomb, great joy marks moments where God frees, restores, and saves. In Luke 2, the angel’s “good news of great joy” is God’s answer to sin’s bondage. Look for God’s redeeming hand, and you’ll find great joy nearby. [34:26]
3. Joy stretches from heaven to the lowly The host of heaven and field-worn shepherds rejoiced together; joy crossed every barrier and was announced “for all people.” God’s joy dignifies those the world overlooks and dismantles the boundaries we keep. If grace is for you, it must also be for the person unlike you—sharing it is how joy multiplies. [45:42]
4. Embrace, share, and glorify—practice joy The shepherds moved: they went to see, then they spread the word, then they kept glorifying God. Joy grows as we respond—by seeking Jesus, witnessing to what we’ve seen, and worshiping in the ordinary. Don’t hoard the best gift you’ve received; giving it away enlarges your own heart. [55:16]
5. Grasp sin’s depth to savor joy We underestimate joy when we underestimate sin. The more soberly we face our need, the more deeply we treasure grace—and the wider joy stretches in our souls. Humility does not dim joy; it deepens it, making “good news” truly great to us. [57:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:07] - Series intro: Hope to Joy
[20:47] - Santa letters and laughter
[22:28] - Happiness vs. joy
[25:03] - Deeper portraits of joy
[26:21] - Joy as God’s living character
[28:12] - A word study of joy
[29:43] - Fullness of joy in trials
[34:26] - Great joy and redemption
[40:09] - Luke 2: Good news of great joy
[45:42] - For all people, heaven to lowly
[48:21] - Joy beyond circumstances
[53:00] - Our response: embrace, share, glorify
[56:32] - Good news to sinners
[71:27] - Commissioning and next steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (ESV)
Luke 2:8–20
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Observation questions (3–4)

What phrase does the angel use to describe the message he brings, and who is said to receive it? [40:09]
How do the heavenly host respond immediately after the angel’s announcement (both content and tone)? [40:33]
After seeing the child, what three actions do the shepherds take? Notice the order. [53:24]
Where does Luke place this event in the story of Israel (what kind of deliverance or hope is being fulfilled by the birth)? [34:26]

Interpretation questions (3–4)

In Luke 2:10 the announcement is “good news of great joy.” How does this language function as a redemptive announcement rather than a promise of political or social improvement? [34:26]
The passage shows fear at God’s glory and then immediate joy. How should the mix of reverent fear and overflowing joy shape a person’s response to God’s presence? [48:21]
The shepherds are socially low but are the first to hear and act. What does that choice say about the intended scope of the gospel when it is described as “for all the people”? [45:42]
The sermon tied the savoring of joy to a sober grasp of sin. How does a clearer sense of personal need for grace increase one’s experience of God’s joy? [57:13]

Application questions (4–7)

Joy is the living presence of God, not the same as circumstantial happiness. Where in your life do you chase happiness instead of seeking God’s presence? What concrete step will you take this week to spend time with God and ask for his joy? [48:21]
“Great joy” signals God’s redeeming work. Identify one area where you are hoping for a quick fix (career, relationship, reputation). How might you ask God for deeper redemption there instead of only a surface solution? [34:26]
Joy crossed the divide from heaven to the lowly. Who in your everyday circles is overlooked or dismissed that you could intentionally invite, serve, or share the gospel with this season? Name a person and a time you will reach out. [45:42]
The shepherds went, saw, told, and then kept glorifying God. What’s one immediate, specific way you can “go and see” Jesus this week (a place to worship, a Scripture to read, a conversation to have)? After that, who will you tell about what you saw? [53:24]
Humility before the depth of sin deepens joy. What truth about your need for grace will you meditate on in the next three days (choose a verse or a confession), and how will that change your prayer or worship this week? [57:13]
The church is a place to carry one another. Who in your life group or circle will you ask to pray with you about joy or a present struggle? Plan when and how you will ask them. [59:32]

Use this guide to read Luke 2 together, discuss honestly, and pray for one another as you practice embracing, sharing, and glorifying the joy God gives.

Sermon Clips

So at what point in your experience of joy would you, like, put this bar, this goal of what joy is a 10 for you, right, in your relationship with God?And then something becomes an 11 or a 12 or maybe even a 15 or a 20.This is great joy, right?This is something over the top compared to anything else that God has done.And when God does that, it always 100% revolves around his redemptive nature of who he is.And so that's what we're going to catch hold of today.That's what we're going to see. [00:34:01] (38 seconds) #JoyOfRedemption

And so why is great joy such a big deal?Why is it such an important term?And why do we need to really think on it today?And it's because it is the solution to our sin problem.Great joy is what you and I need to be able to walk with him.And so Jesus brings us, this time of year we think about it, him as a child coming, brings joy, not just because the Israelites were hoping, God's people were hoping to have a new king and a new ruler.That was what would have made them happy, right?But instead, God gives them so much more.He gives them an answer to their sin problem. [00:38:20] (46 seconds) #JoyOfSalvation

There's no exception.Here are what couldn't even be fathomed in the mind of the Israelites that God would open up the doors to the Gentiles and invite them to come in and be a part of this great joy.That couldn't even be imagined at that point.For them, they were thinking about a king for their people, not a king for all people.And yet, great joy was going to be for all of mankind. [00:45:52] (25 seconds) #JoyForAllPeople

are.And not terrified in the sense that God wants you to fear Him or cower before Him.But it would be similar to part of this idea of reverence.And in being all of who He is.And that because His presence is there, it doesn't matter what I'm going through.Those things don't matter.The presence of God is here.And is bringing me joy in the midst of all of this.That I can face whatever it is that I'm challenged with.See, joy is not built on circumstances.Happiness is built on circumstances.Joy is the living presence of God. [00:47:40] (45 seconds) #JoyInGodsPresence

The Jewish people wanted a political savior.God wanted to give them salvation.There are certain things that you want right now God to do for you.And it's short of what He actually has that's better for you.Does that make sense?We have a certain part of what we think that we need.And God says, I can give you something so much better.If you would just be open to receiving the joy that I want to give you.And so joy may come in the form of something that we don't recognize. [00:48:42] (33 seconds) #JoyUnexpectedGift

But it's not something we just have to wait for.What was different for you and I that was different for everybody else back then is that when we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we actually get to experience that joy each and every day.And so there's so many of us that just walk around defeated and discouraged.And that's exactly where Satan wants to keep you. [00:50:34] (22 seconds) #WalkInJoyDaily

God says today to you still, I have joy for you.I'm ready to give it to you.It comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.And every day you find that same joy there by spending time with me, by being in my presence, by walking with me.And guess what?But no matter what's going on around you, I'm your peace.Remember, one of the aspects of joy was rest.I'm your rest in the midst of everything that's happening.And when you're in that place, what do you feel?You feel joy. [00:53:31] (33 seconds) #DailyJoyInJesus

Until you and I understand the depth of our sin,we can't fully appreciate the expanse of God's joy.Let that sink in for just a second.Until we understand the extent, the depths of our sin,and I would even say really how depraved we really are before God, we cannot fully appreciate the extent, the depth, the heights that it reached, remember, from shepherds to angels,the expanse it's given to everybody without limitation.We can't appreciate that until we fully appreciate who [00:57:08] (48 seconds) #DepthOfSinDepthOfJoy

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Great Joy: The Redeeming Birth of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Great joy announced to all people at Christ’s birth.

Day 2: Fullness of joy even amid life’s trials.

Day 3: Rejoice in the Lord always, not circumstances.

Day 4: Joy endures through sorrow and cannot be taken.

Day 5: God’s great joy is to present us blameless.

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Great Joy: The Redeeming Birth of Christ

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