These are words written by Isaac Watts in 1719
Psalm 98
1 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. 2 The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. 3 He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; 5 make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, 6 with trumpets
and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the Lord, the King. 7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; 9 let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.
This is the Psalm that inspired his song. “Joy to The World the Lord Is Come!”
These words ring through our homes, our churches, and our hearts during this season. But before there was joy… there was waiting.
And waiting is something we understand quite well—maybe too well.
We wait in traffic, inching forward while the light stubbornly stays red.
We wait in coffee lines, wondering if our name will ever be called.
We wait for packages, refreshing the tracking number like it’s a spiritual discipline.
We wait for messages, watching the typing dots appear and disappear like emotional torture.
We wait in doctor’s offices, waiting rooms, checkout lines, and busy schedules.
We are surrounded by waiting.
But if waiting for a latte tests our patience, imagine waiting not minutes… not hours… not even years… but centuries.
That is how long God’s people waited for the very first Christmas.
1. The Long Wait for the Messiah
Long before angels sang over Bethlehem, long before shepherds ran to the manger,
long before wise men followed a star—God made a promise.
In the Garden of Eden, after humanity’s fall, God spoke the first prophecy:
“The Seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head.” — Genesis 3:15
From that moment forward, people waited for a Savior.
God revealed more over time:
A Promise to Abraham: “In your seed all nations shall be blessed.”
A Promise to Judah from Jacob: “The scepter shall not depart from your tribe.”
A Promise through Isaiah: “A virgin shall conceive and bear a Son.”
A Promise through Micah: “Out of Bethlehem shall come the Ruler.”
But the promises came slowly, over thousands of years.
How long did they wait?
2,000 years from Adam to Abraham
1,000 years from Abraham to David
1,000 years from David to Jesus
400 years of prophetic silence
Nearly 4,000 years passed from the first promise to the manger.
We grow impatient waiting ten minutes - they waited forty centuries.
But here is what Scripture declares about the timing:
“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son…”
— Galatians 4:4
Not early.
Not late.
Perfectly on time.
2. The Significance of Jesus Coming When He Did
God was not idle during those 4,000 years of waiting.
He was setting the stage for the greatest moment in history.
Spiritually
God’s people were hungry for a Word after 400 years of silence. Their longing was deep.
Politically
Rome ruled the world, providing stability and roads that made travel—and later, evangelism—possible.
Culturally
Greek was widely spoken, allowing the gospel to spread quickly across nations.
Prophetically
Every prophecy lined up precisely. The Messiah came from the right lineage, at the right time, in the right place.
The world wasn’t just ready—it was perfectly prepared.
And yet, when the Savior finally came… people responded in very different ways.
3. How People Responded to the Coming of Jesus
Just as today, not everyone welcomed Him.
The arrival of Jesus exposed hearts.
Herod – Fear and Hostility
When Herod heard about a “new King,” he panicked.
He wasn’t interested in worship—he was interested in control.
He tried to kill Jesus, ordering the slaughter of innocent children.
Herod teaches us that some reject Jesus because His Lordship threatens their comfort and power.
The Romans – Indifference
Rome hardly noticed the birth of Jesus.
To them, He was just another Jewish baby in an insignificant town.
Later, when His influence grew, Rome treated Him as a political inconvenience.
The Romans remind us that many respond to Jesus with indifference—until His truth demands a decision.
The Religious Leaders – Pride and Resistance
The priests and teachers of the Law knew Scripture well.
They even told the magi where the Messiah would be born.
But knowledge didn’t move them—pride blinded them. Jesus threatened their traditions, their authority, and their image.
Their response warns us: It is possible to be religious… and still resist Jesus.
The Shepherds – Wonder and Worship
The announcement of the Savior first came to shepherds – ordinary, overlooked people.
Their response?
They hurried.
They worshiped.
They proclaimed the good news.
Their response reminds us that humility makes room for joy.
The Wise Men – Seeking and Giving
These educated Gentiles traveled far, following a star, bringing costly gifts.
They bowed—
They worshiped—
They honored the newborn King.
The wise men show that Jesus draws seekers from every nation and every background.
Simeon & Anna – Expectation and Faithfulness
For decades, they waited in the temple.
And when they finally saw Jesus, they rejoiced:
“My eyes have seen Your salvation.” – Luke 2:30
Their lives declare this truth:
Those who wait faithfully will see God’s promises fulfilled.
Nazareth – Familiarity and Rejection
Jesus’ own hometown rejected Him.
“Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they said.
Familiarity blinded them to His identity.
Nazareth teaches us that we must never become too familiar to be transformed.
Mary & Joseph – Surrender and Obedience
Mary said:
“Let it be to me according to Your Word.” – Luke 1:38
Joseph obeyed God without hesitation, even when it was costly.
They show us what it means to respond with trust.
4. How Should We Respond This Christmas?
These varied responses force a question:
How will we respond to Jesus?
Christmas isn’t just about remembering His coming – it’s about receiving His coming.
Prepare by Remembering
Slow down.
Reflect on God’s faithfulness.
Use the small waiting moments of December to remember the hope Christ brings.
Prepare by Repentance
Just as John the Baptist cried, “Prepare the way of the Lord,”
we prepare our hearts by turning from sin and turning to God.
Prepare by Worship
Let worship—not stress—dominate this season.
Let gratitude—not busyness—shape your heart.
Prepare by Making Room
Before guests arrive, we clear space in our homes.
Before Jesus arrives, we clear space in our hearts.
Prepare by Sharing the Good News
The shepherds told everyone.
The wise men traveled far.
We too share the good news: The Lord has come!
Altar-Call Transition
As we remain in this atmosphere of reflection, let me speak to your heart.
Just as people responded differently to Jesus on that first Christmas, each of us responds to Him today.
Some resist.
Some ignore.
Some hesitate.
Others run to Him in faith.
If you’re here today and you’ve been waiting—
waiting for peace,
waiting for direction,
waiting for forgiveness,
waiting for something real – I want you to hear this:
Jesus came for you.
He didn’t just come into the world; He came into your world, your story, your need, your heart.
"I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness" (John 12:46).
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly"
(John 10:10).
But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26)
If something inside you is stirring right now—that’s not coincidence.
That’s the Holy Spirit drawing you.
In this holy season, I invite you to take a step towards faith and trust in Jesus
Come just as you are.
Come find hope.
Come find life.
Come meet Jesus.
Jesus is waiting.
Closing Prayer with Invitation
Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Your Son—right on time, into our darkness, into our waiting. Thank You for the joy, hope, and salvation He brings. Lord, for those who have come forward or prayed in their hearts, may this moment be their “fullness of time.” If you want to receive Jesus today, pray this: “Lord Jesus, I believe You came for me. I believe You died for my sins and rose again to give me new life. I turn from my old ways, and I invite You to be my Savior and my Lord. Forgive me, change me, and help me follow You all the days of my life.
Amen.”
Father, seal every decision.
Fill each heart with Your presence.
And as we go into this Christmas season,
help us prepare Him room every day
until the day He comes again.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Closing Benediction
May the joy of the angels be yours,
the humility of the shepherds guide you,
and the wisdom of the magi inspire you.
May the peace of Christ—
the Child in the manger,
the Savior on the cross,
the King who is coming again—
fill your hearts and your homes this season.
And now,
may the Lord bless you and keep you,
may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you,
and may the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace—
both now and forevermore.
Go in the joy of the One who has come,
and in the hope of the One who will come again.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
