As we approach Christmas, our hearts need preparation. Not just the preparation of shopping lists and travel plans, but the deeper work of making room for the wonder of God coming to us as a baby in Bethlehem, taking on human flesh to dwell among us. This four-week devotional series is designed to help you do just that. Each week explores a different facet of the Christmas story: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
We invite you to use these devotionals each Sunday as a way to begin your week with focused time in God’s Word. Whether you read them alone in a quiet moment, share them with your family over breakfast, or discuss them with a group of friends, our prayer is that these moments to reflect will draw your heart closer to Christ our Messiah, Emmanuel, and remind you of the hope, peace, joy, and love that His coming brings to a world in desperate need.
Week 1: The Hope of Preparation
Scripture: Isaiah 9:2–7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
REFLECTION
The first candles of Christmas are struck in the dark. This season of preparation doesn’t deny the night; it declares that a greater Light has dawned. In Bethlehem’s Child, God keeps a centuries-old promise and hope rises.
Isaiah speaks to a people “who walked in darkness,” yet he writes as though the dawn has already broken: “on them has light shone.” That is Christmas hope—certain because God has spoken. The joy Isaiah describes is harvest-joy and victory-joy: the Lord breaks “the yoke” as he did “on the day of Midian,” so that burdens lift and fear loosens. How will God do this? Through Jesus! “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” The government that crushes our shoulders will rest on his. Isaiah piles up names to unveil the Child’s glory: Wonderful Counselor—wisdom from above for sinners below; Mighty God—no mere helper, but God the Warrior come in flesh; Everlasting Father—the royal protector who tends his people as a father his children; Prince of Peace—reconciling us to God and making enemies friends. This Son of David reigns with justice and righteousness, and “of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” This hope is not wishful thinking; it is covenant certainty: “The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”
SPREADING THIS HOPE
At Reformed Theological Seminary, we prepare pastors and church leaders to carry this same light into dark places, and thus to bring real hope. Our calling is to form servants of the Word who preach Christ with Isaiah’s confidence: that God keeps his promises, that the Child given for us is truly God with us, and that his peace spreads without end. In our classrooms and internships, students learn to handle Scripture so that weary people hear good news: burdens can break, consciences can be cleansed, families can be gathered, and churches can sing again—because the government rests on Jesus’ shoulders, not ours. RTS exists so that congregations across the world receive shepherds who counsel with Christ’s wisdom, fight with his strength, lead in his peace, and live in Christmas hope.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Light of the world, let your hope dawn afresh in us. Prepare our hearts this Christmas to receive you and to share your light with those around us. Strengthen RTS students and graduates to preach you faithfully this Christmas season, for the joy and peace of your church. Amen.
