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 3: The Joy of Multiplication
Scripture: Luke 2:10-11
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.”
REFLECTION
We all know that something isn’t right with the world. We see examples of it every day. People act selfishly. They lie, cheat, and steal. They mistreat and take advantage of others. And, sometimes, they do even more horrific things.
But we also know that whatever isn’t right with the world is present within ourselves as well. We don’t always do what is right. We aren’t always kind with our words or patient in our dealing with others. We may not do the same exact things that others do, but we are frequently just as selfish and hateful in our thoughts, if not also in our actions. The evil that we see in others is in us too.
True and lasting joy doesn’t come from denying these things or from minimizing them by comparing ourselves with others whom we perceive as being worse. True and lasting joy only comes from knowing that God has provided a Savior for our sins and for the sins of “all the people.” That is indeed “good news.” God has not left us to fend for ourselves or to wallow in our own ineptitude and failure. He has sent His Son—Immanuel, God with us—to take the guilt of our sins upon Himself so that we might be forgiven. As the angel said to Joseph, “you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). That is what we celebrate at Christmas.
MULTIPLYING THIS JOY
RTS exists to prepare heralds who will proclaim the same message that the angel did on that first Christmas day: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Our commitment is to pour ourselves into the next generation of pastors and ministry leaders so that they will not only know this “great joy” themselves but will be able to proclaim it faithfully and boldly to everyone with whom they come into contact. We want to see this joy multiplied and extended to every tribe, tongue, nation, and people (Rev. 5:9). By supporting the ministry of RTS, you partner with us in the multiplication of this joy, so that others will know it and, in turn, share it with the people they meet.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Savior of the world, let the joy of your salvation fill us today and every day. Help us to rejoice in the “good news” this Christmas time and to do all that we can to ensure that “great joy” is multiplied around the world. Embolden RTS students and graduates to live and speak in such a way that this joy is seen, sought after, and, ultimately, experienced. Amen.
