The Joy of Christmas and the King of Kings
December 29, 2024 · 2:03:00 · Watch on YouTube ↗
Summary
This post-Christmas Sunday service opened with Isaiah 9:6, celebrating the child born to us whose names are Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. In a world torn by war and tragedy, the only true peace is found in Jesus, who came for each of us.
The message reminded us that Christmas is a season of real joy because Christ was born, died, rose, and is alive today. Many lose the meaning of the season in gifts and fading New Year resolutions, but God offers a deeper blessing. Drawing on Psalm 37:4, the preacher showed that when we delight in the Lord our desires change and begin to match His. Solomon asked not for riches but for wisdom to serve God's people, and God gave him wisdom plus wealth and honor beyond every king.
Jesus is the greater example: He left heaven's glory, lived and worked among us, and gave Himself saying not my will but yours. Like Isaiah's vision of the Lord whose robe fills the temple, the train standing for every defeated enemy, Christ is the victorious King of kings who will return in glory. The call is to desire what God desires and to give to others as freely as He gave His Son, for it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Key Points
- Christ is the child of Isaiah 9:6, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, our only source of true peace.
- Christmas carries real joy because Jesus was born, died, rose, and lives today.
- When we delight in the Lord, He reshapes the desires of our heart to match His own (Psalm 37:4).
- Solomon asked for wisdom to serve God's people rather than riches, and God gave him both far beyond measure.
- It is more blessed to give than to receive, and God wants us to bless others as He has blessed us.
- The Lord's robe filling the temple pictures every enemy He has conquered, for He is the victorious King of kings.
- Jesus left heaven and gave Himself for us, praying not my will but yours be done.
Devotional
This Christmas, ask yourself whether you carry real joy, the joy of knowing the One who was born, who died, and who rose and lives. When you stop bargaining with God and simply delight in His presence, your desires quietly begin to become His. Like Solomon, seek first what matters to God and care for His people, and you will find yourself blessed beyond what you imagined. The King who left heaven for you reigns over every enemy, so rest in His victory and become a gift to those around you.
“If you have no joy at Christmas, something is wrong with the way you are celebrating.”
“When you delight in the Lord, you begin to desire what He desires, and He gives it.”
“His robe fills the temple with every enemy He has conquered: He is King of kings.”
