Christmas Joy
The Christmas season often fills our hearts with warmth, nostalgia, and a sense of celebration. Yet, as Sr. Pastor Drew Shofner of the Church at Severn Run eloquently conveys, the true essence of Christmas is not found in festive lights or carols but in the profound joy rooted in Jesus Christ. His recent sermon explored how the transformative power of the Gospel confronts the shadows in human hearts and invites believers to embrace an enduring joy that transcends life’s hardships. The sermon contained many wonderful messages:
The Darkness of the Human Condition
Pastor Drew vividly describes the human heart as a “pressure cooker of disappointment.” In a world burdened by political strife, personal struggles, and brokenness, joy often feels fleeting. He likens this condition to a dormant volcano—peace on the surface but ready to erupt with turmoil. However, amid this darkness, the birth of Jesus brought eternal light.
John 1:5 declares, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Pastor Drew highlights that Christmas is more than a holiday; it is a reminder of the incarnation of hope, joy, and salvation through Jesus Christ. Just as the Bethlehem star pierced the night sky, Christ’s birth offers light to every shadowed heart.
Joy Rooted in Truth
Pastor Drew challenges the assembled body of Christ: Do you truly believe the Bible’s message? The Gospel is not merely an abstract set of truths but a living reality meant to transform lives. Drawing from John 1:14 -“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”- he underscores the necessity of allowing Scripture to move from intellectual acknowledgment to personal conviction.
The hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” calls believers to adoration and trust in Christ. Similarly, Pastor Drew invites us to engage deeply with God’s Word, particularly the Gospel of John, to encounter the joy that flows from understanding and believing in God’s promises.
The Incarnation: God with Us
The incarnation is the cornerstone of Christmas joy. In “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” we are reminded of the universal scope of Christ’s arrival: “Joyful, all ye nations rise!” Pastor Drew paints a tender portrait of the incarnation, not as a distant theological concept but as God stepping into humanity’s struggles.
John 1:4 reflects this truth: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” The beauty of the incarnation is that Jesus’ arrival was not merely a historical event; it is an ongoing invitation for every individual to experience God’s presence and peace.
Joy Amid Hardship
Drawing from John 16:20-21, Pastor Drew explores how joy can arise even from pain. He compares the experience to childbirth: the agony of labor is overshadowed by the joy of holding a newborn. The birth of Jesus mirrors this truth—His arrival amidst a broken world brings hope and a promise of redemption.
This joy, he stresses, is “tough as nails.” It is not fragile or conditional but grounded in the resurrection of Christ. While Christmas traditions—twinkling lights, joyful songs, and shared meals—offer reflections of this joy, Pastor Drew warns against reducing the season to cultural festivities. Instead, he calls believers to embark on a faith journey rooted in the unshakable truth of Christ.
Becoming Children of God
At the heart of his message is the life-altering reality that through Jesus, believers become children of God. John 1:12 proclaims, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” This identity brings profound significance, affirming that every person is cherished by God.
Pastor Drew paints a beautiful picture of God as a loving parent, delighting in His children’s potential. This mirrors the awe of Christmas captured in “Silent Night,” a hymn that celebrates the peace and love between heaven and earth. For Christians, this familial relationship with God is the ultimate source of joy and security.
The Joy of Good News
Amid life’s struggles, Pastor Drew reminds us that Jesus is present in the here and now. John 1:9 affirms this: “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” This light is not reserved for the perfect or the strong; it is a gift for all who receive it.
He challenges us to find validation not in worldly success but in the assurance of God’s love. This Christmas, the greatest gift is not material but spiritual—the enduring joy and hope found in Christ.
Threefold Good News of Christmas
In summarizing the Gospel message, Pastor Drew emphasizes three key truths:
A Savior Born into a Broken World
Jesus entered our struggles to redeem us and eliminate fear for those who trust in Him (John 16:33).
Twice-Born Children of God
Through faith in Christ, believers are reborn into eternal life, embracing an identity rooted in joy and fellowship with God (John 1:12-13).
Called to Share the Good News
The Gospel is not solely personal; it is a mission. Christians are called to reflect Christ’s joy and draw others into His light.
Radiating Joy as a Testimony
Pastor Drew shares a poignant story of a choir director whose joy was so evident it transformed those around him. This example underscores Romans 1:16: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel.” Christians are not merely called to feel joy but to radiate it, making the Gospel visible to others.
The nativity story in Luke 2 is a powerful reminder of this truth. God revealed the birth of Jesus to shepherds—lowly and overlooked individuals—demonstrating that His salvation is for everyone. Pastor Drew compares this to bioluminescence, a vivid metaphor for how God’s glory illuminates and transforms.
Overcoming the Bad News with the Good
The Christmas message is about reframing life’s struggles in the light of God’s eternal promises.
Psalm 30:5: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
Romans 8:18: “The present suffering is not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed.”
These verses remind believers to trust in God’s unchanging goodness, even amid challenges.
Living Boldly in the Gospel
Pastor Drew concludes with a call to action:
For unbelievers, the invitation is to accept Jesus as Savior and follow Him in baptism.
For believers, the challenge is to rekindle joy and boldness in sharing the Gospel, recognizing that faithfulness—not perfection—is the goal.
A Personal Challenge
In his closing remarks, Pastor Drew issues a heartfelt challenge: allow the joy of Jesus to outshine the world’s darkness. By surrendering fully to Christ, believers can not only transform their own lives but also become beacons of hope to others.
As the hymn “Joy to the World” proclaims, “Let every heart prepare Him room.” This Christmas, may we embrace the joy of Christ not as a fleeting emotion but as a transformative truth. Let our lives reflect the eternal light of Emmanuel, “God with us.”
JG