Advent 2021:

Come and Worship

A Free Online Advent Calendar and Devotional Journey

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas Day. It’s a season to prepare our hearts to celebrate the incarnation of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thankfully, this kind of preparation doesn’t require a lot of time, tinsel, ingredients, or wrappings. The only thing needed is to come and worship.

May these Advent devotions be your daily opportunity to respond to that invitation. Visit the calendar below for new devotionals each day or subscribe to receive them directly in your inbox, along with some fun surprises and free downloadables along the way!

December 12
Third Sunday of Advent - Joy

*Scroll down for a free printable Christmas coloring page!*

Excerpted from God with Us by Joshua Cooley, author of Creator, Father, King

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news
that will cause great joy for all the people.”
– Luke 2:10, NIV

“Joy to the World” is one of the most popular and beloved Christmas carols of all time. During the holiday season, you can hear it everywhere—in churches, on the radio, in shopping malls, from carolers, and more. You probably know the lyrics by heart.

But did you know that Isaac Watts, the song’s writer, never intended it to be a Christmas carol? It’s true! In fact, the original lyrics don’t mention anything about Bethlehem, the manger, angels, shepherds, wise men, or anything else specifically about Jesus’ birth. Watts’s inspiration for his classic hymn was Psalm 98, an Old Testament song of praise celebrating the kindness and power God showed to Israel.

But hey, “Joy to the World” still works great as a Christmas carol, because both the song and Christmas are all about—you guessed it—joy! John the Baptist “jumped for joy” in the womb of Elizabeth, Mary’s relative, when pregnant Mary came to visit her (Luke 1:44). When the angel announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds in Bethlehem, he said, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (today’s verse).

When Joseph and Mary took baby Jesus to Jerusalem shortly after his birth, a prophet named Simeon said, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise” (Luke 2:34). And when the wise men saw the star over young Jesus’ home, “they were filled with joy” (Matthew 2:10).

Jesus’ birth is all about joy!

Joy is an unwavering state of delight, peace, and satisfaction in a person’s heart. It’s deep, meaningful happiness that doesn’t fade away. Jesus’ birth makes never-ending joy possible!

How? Because the little baby in the manger was the fulfillment of heaven’s great salvation plan. Mary’s infant son was the eternal Son of God made flesh, come to rescue humanity. The child born in Bethlehem that night would grow up to become the Savior of the world.

Jesus’ birth and all the blessings he’d bring to the world were enough to make angels sing, shepherds come running, old men prophesy, and wise men travel great distances. Because of Jesus, we can experience freedom from sin, peace with God, a hope-filled existence, and everlasting life.

Jesus most certainly brings joy to the world!

For further reflection:

Read Psalm 98, the inspiration for “Joy to the World.”

Enjoy this free printable Christmas coloring page! Right-click on the image below to download and print from your computer, or click here to download from a new tab.

Coloring page by Bethany Russell originally posted on The Arc.

Creator, Father, King

A One Year Journey with God

by Joshua Cooley