Welcome to Week 2 of the ETW stuWelcome to Week 2 of the ETW study, Preparing Our Hearts This Christmas: 30 Days to Make Room for Jesus! This 30‑day journey through Scripture includes study, inspiration, and practical ways to make room for Jesus as we celebrate this Advent season.
(Link to the FREE Devotional Guide at the end of this email)
The Christmas season calls us to joy, love, and reflection. At its center is the good news of Jesus — joy for every heart, hope for every home. It is a time for us to share with the world the joy that comes with having a relationship with Jesus, the Savior of the whole world.
Sadly, the commercialism of this holiday threatens to drain every bit of joy from the season, leaving us tired, frustrated, and oblivious to the true reason for celebration. Jesus, however, is the real reason for celebration, and remember this should renew our joy!
One of the most beloved Christmas songs, “Joy to the World,” was written by Isaac Watts in 1719. It was never intended to be a Christmas song but was part of a book of poems, each based on a psalm. “The Messiah’s Coming and Kingdom” (the poem’s title) was based on Psalm 98. It is a celebration of the joyful occasion of the Lord’s coming.
Psalm 98 celebrates the Lord’s kingship and reign over all creation and humanity. Though this psalm is more about the second coming of Jesus, we can’t celebrate the second coming without acknowledging the first! Jesus brought joy to the world in His first coming, and He will bring joy to the world when He comes again.
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things! His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:1-3
Psalm 98:1-3 boasts of many great things the Lord has done:
- God has done marvelous works by His greatness and power. He has brought about salvation for His people with His right hand and holy arm. It was by God’s power alone that salvation came to the whole world. He alone has the strength and ability to deliver His people (v. 1).
- God has made His salvation known to the nations. God’s desire and plan from the beginning was always for all people to experience His saving grace. God has also revealed His righteousness to the world. With His life, Jesus has demonstrated His justice and moral authority to the nations (v. 2).
- The Lord has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to Israel, affirming His commitment to His people and keeping His covenant promises. He has shown His salvation to the whole world. “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God (v. 3).
The rest of Psalm 98 calls for us to respond to what God has done with bold, loud, exuberant praise (vv. 4-6), and tells us that all creation—rivers, hills, and the earth—to participate in the joyful celebration (vv. 7-9).
This season:
- Make room to remember all that the Lord has done! Jesus’ coming brought joy to the world through His saving work of redemption, and we should continually overflow in that joy.
- Make room for bold celebrations of praise! Don’t be afraid to lift your voice in song and your heart in exuberant praise.
- Make room to behold the beauty of God’s creation giving Him praise! All creation testifies to the greatness of our God!
- Make room to tell someone that Jesus is coming again! Remember, Psalm 98 is more about Jesus’ second coming! He is coming back, and the world needs to know!
Make room in your hearts for joy, because Jesus is still bringing joy to the world. May every heart prepare Him room!
As always, you can engage with this study in various ways:
- Follow the ETW: “Preparing Our Hearts This Christmas” reading/writing plan.
- Download the FREE Devotional Guide, which includes observation questions and daily Pause, Prayer, Practice, and Praise reflection prompts to guide you in studying God’s Word. Day 7 of each week is a catch-up day. Engage with related scripture using the D.W.E.L.L. Bible Study method or any method you prefer. Or spend the day exploring other areas of study that speak to you.
>>>> Download Week One HERE! <<<<
>>>> Download Week Two HERE! <<<<
- Like and follow Sparrow’s Song on Facebook for additional content.
Invite your friends, family, and church community to gather with you as we open our hearts and make room for Jesus together. Let’s share fellowship, encouragement, and hope as we welcome His presence into our lives. Grab your people, your Bible study materials, and bring an open heart to make room for Jesus!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope. —Romans 15:13
Your friend in the journey,
Remember: The Word W.O.R.K.S. We are walking in Wholeness, Obedience, Righteousness, and Kingdom Success through the Word of God.
