In this 24-minute Christmas special, Joni shares hope-filled insights on how you can create the Christmas spirit in your home and in your heart. Join Joni, along with her husband Ken, and their good friend, Shauna, as she helps us focus on Jesus through Scripture, Christmas carols, prayer, and practical ideas.
Go to www.JoniandFriends.org/Christmas to receive a downloadable version of Joni singing “O Come All Ye Faithful." You’ll also find some behind-the-scenes photos and videos and other resources there.
JONI: Oh, I love that sound! Jingle bells, horses and sleighs and snow and it’s Christmas! Ken and Shauna, Merry Christmas!
SHAUNA & KEN: Merry Christmas Joni and Shauna!
JONI: And I can’t think of a better thing than us starting singing one of my favorite Christmas carols. Friend listening, join along!
(Joni sings :)
Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and Heaven and nature sing
Joy to the earth the savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods rocks hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to the make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as the curse is found
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love
And wonders of his love
And wonders, wonders of his love
JONI: What a way to begin the Christmas season with a true, triumphant carol! Hi friends, you’re listening to “The Spirit of Christmas” special and I’m your host Joni Eareckson Tada. Now I’ve got my husband Ken here all dressed up in red plaid. Welcome Ken!
KEN: Well, welcome to you and Merry Christmas!
JONI: Merry Christmas, sir! And Shauna Amick and the voice of “Sharing Hope.” Welcome Shauna!
SHAUNA: Oh, Merry Christmas!
JONI: Absolutely! You know,I just come alive this time of year. Christmas carols on the radio and the stores. But especially the Advent readings and songs at our church. The season celebrating our Lord’s birth has arrived, woohoo!
SHAUNA: Hallelujah, you are right Joni! And the musical score for this bright season is always the timeless carols of Christmas.
JONI: Absolutely!
SHAUNA: You know, I can’t think of a better way to stir up the Yuletide fire in our hearts than with a favorite Christmas song for all of us so, let’s listen now to your beautiful rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
(Joni sings:)
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv'n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him;
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
JONI: Oh, and I hope that you friend, listening were singing along with me on that carol. Maybe, even harmonizing. It seems like yesterday I recorded that Christmas classic and now here we are preparing for another celebration of the birth of Jesus into our dark world. It’s what Advent’s all about. Preparing our tired hearts to receive in a fresh, new way our Savior, and our King. Sure, not everybody observes Advent, but it is a great way to get us in the Christmas spirit because we can’t grasp the full meaning of Christ’s birth without first recognizing our sin and therefore our need of the Savior. But once we let go of the sin our hearts try to hide, then the hope and the joy of Christmas stirs our souls to sing, “O come let us adore him.” We adore you Christ our Lord.
But what if your heart still doesn’t feel ready to sing? What if the trials and frustrations of life have left you discouraged? And now here you are, staring vacantly at the last sheet on your calendar, wondering how to get into the Christmas spirit. You might even feel a growing pressure to get into the spirit, or perhaps you feel wistful longings, a kind of strange nostalgia. A need to make this Christmas meaningful. Well, then you can do one of two things. You can simply wait around for the Christmas spirit to hit you [and it may or may not]. Or you can create the Christmas spirit.
SHAUNA: Well, how do you create the Christmas spirit Joni?
JONI: Well, believe it or not, it is simple. Start by musing and meditating and thinking deeply on what Christ’s birth and his life and death means to you personally. Then, let those fresh meditations find expression in your adoration and your praise and worship of the Lord Jesus, and his worth and his honor. And do it soon before the season slips through your fingers. After all, it’s the whole point behind these wistful longings in your heart, right? God wants us all to find the answer to those heartfelt yearnings in a happy celebration of his son. He wants us to define that nostalgia as nothing more than a deep human desire to come home to Jesus. And a great way to make your celebration of Jesus truly happy is using the words of Scripture. And Ken, I’m going to ask you to join us now with a reading from Isaiah 9:2-7.
KEN: Thanks, Joni. You know, it’s such a privilege to read God’s Word. It’s always a joy to create the Christmas spirit with you. And I love this passage because it’s the first thing we do in Advent. The prophet Isaiah starts out by telling God’s people to recognize their darkness, but just listen for the part where it turns into rejoicing in the promise of Christ, the Messiah. Here, let me read it:
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
JONI: Oh Ken! That’s wonderful. If I weren’t in the Christmas spirit before, I sure am now! With what you just read, it’s one of the most hope-filled promises in the Old Testament. And from the New Testament, we can create the Christmas spirit by following the example of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who, after being told she’d give birth to the Son of God, she immediately worshipped, she adored and blessed and thanked the Lord. Shauna let’s create more of that Christmas spirit; read for us from Luke 1:46-55, would you?
SHAUNA: I’d love to, Joni! This passage has come to be known as Mary’s Song, and it contains such powerful words of reverence and worship. Here’s Luke chapter one starting with verse 46:
“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
JONI: Ah, this is what we celebrate! A believer could sing Mary’s Song all year long, right Shauna?
SHAUNA: That’s right.
JONI: But the words are especially helpful in stirring a sense of wonderful anticipation about Christmas. Mary’s honest and pure way in which she worships; it compels me to do the same. So, friend listening, I want you to join me in this prayer. I penned it for RC Sproul’s devotional “The Advent of Glory” so pray with me:
“Oh, Jesus, I am so astounded that you, the King of the universe, chose to be born in a parking lot behind a Bethlehem motel with a blinking No-Vacancy sign. You incarnated yourself inside the frail frame of a poor, peasant girl and you chose an animal shed for her delivery room. You chose to announce your Messiah manifesto to a ragtag group of scruffy shepherds. Jesus, this Advent, help me to see that this is the way you work. You delight in choosing the unlikely, the unlovely, and the poorly gifted. And I marvel at how this turns up the wattage on your glory. So, here at year’s end, We all commit not to cherish inflated ideas of our own importance but we humbly lower ourselves before your Majesty. We all lay our Christmas gift at your feet, yielding our weakness for your kingdom purposes. For your glory and for your honor. Jesus, we do all this in your name. Amen.
KEN: Amen! And Joni? I can’t think of a better song that fits with your prayer than “What Child Is This.” Let’s lean in and listen to that now, not just with our ears, but with our hearts.
(Joni sings:)
What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through
The cross be borne for me, for you
Hail, hail the Word made flesh
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Raise, raise a song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Raise, raise a song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Raise, raise a song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary
JONI: Oh, we might not be bringing Jesus gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh, but we can bring him the gifts of our breathless wonder and our worship. But friend, if still, your heart’s not quite in line with that rich spirit of Christmas, well, now’s the time to put it all in focus. Because the genuine spirit of Christmas, is really just a strong sense of gratitude and an overflow of thanksgiving for God’s greatest gift of all, the birth of Jesus Christ. Hey, we’ve got a Savior; a rescuer, a redeemer, and, oh, aren’t we thankful?! That’s the genuine spirit of Christmas. Every wistful longing of this glad season finds fulfillment in God’s gift, Jesus, the light of the world; Jesus who chases away all the darkness.
And another wonderful way to stir up the Christmas spirit is by putting in place practical ideas that’ll bless those you love and keep them focused on Christ this season. And it’s easy. How about giving Christmas cards that point people to the Savior.
SHAUNA: And Joni, how about the beautiful Christmas cards we created with your artwork?!
JONI: Oh, sure! Or take home-baked cookies to your neighbors and invite them to attend Christmas Eve service with you. Or how about leading your family through a good Advent devotional.
SHAUNA: That one by R.C. Sproul that we mentioned earlier is a great place to start!
JONI: It sure is! And you could always organize a group to do good, old-fashioned Christmas caroling. Whether door-to-door in the neighborhood, or as a few coworkers and I did, grab a hymnal and go from one office alcove to the next singing carols in your department.
SHAUNA: Joni I think my office supervisor might like that idea!
JONI: Oh, why not?
SHAUNA: But when I go out caroling with my church, the song I love to sing is Silent Night, and your version is so soft and lovely. Let’s share it right now.
(Joni sings:)
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord at Thy birth (21:37)
JONI: Oh, friend listening, I hope our time together has helped create the Christmas spirit in your heart this season. And keep singing the carols we’ve shared with you. In fact, I’d love to share one of my songs with you. Just go to JoniandFriends.org/Christmas and download “O Come All Ye Faithful.” You’ll also find some behind-the-scenes photos and videos and other resources there. Again, it’s JoniandFriends.org/Christmas.
And I mean it, everybody here at Joni and Friends hopes you know how very much we appreciate you. Thank you for being the heart and soul of our Christmas special today and bless you for being a true friend of Joni and Friends. As our time together draws to a close, we can all stay encouraged knowing that the love of Jesus is never-ending. So, join me now for one final prayer from Sproul’s The Advent of Glory:
“Heavenly Father, we don’t think we will ever be able to wrap our hearts, nor our heads around your glory. You, in all your dazzling perfection, are the reflection in Jesus, the perfect mirror image of yourself. Oh, Father, no wonder you adore your son – he is the photo-image of all your beauty and excellence, all your mercy and might. No wonder you’re enthralled with him! And Jesus, thank you for veiling your majesty to put on the great indignity of human birth. Though it meant humiliation and great suffering, you and the father agreed to this. All so that you could win for yourself an eternal chorus of worshipers. An army of overcomers. And a radiant bride with whom you will share your glory and shower your love on for all of eternity. We can hardly believe that that’s us and our destiny. Oh, what a Christmas gift you’ve given us! Thank you, Jesus. Amen.” Oh, friend I know you prayed that prayer straight from your heart because I just bet you got the Christmas spirit. Thank you for joining me and my husband Ken, and my friend Shauna on this special holiday rendition on the spirit of Christmas. So, thanks for joining us. All of us at Joni and Friends are so grateful for you. Finally, would you join me in singing thanks to the one who brought joy to your world.
(Joni sings:)
Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing
And wonders, wonders of his love
© Joni and Friends