Joni Eareckson Tada and her husband Ken join the podcast, along Shauna Amick, for a Christmas special that will help you get into the spirit of the season. With Christmas carols sung by Joni, hand-picked Scriptures, heartfelt prayers, and ways to share the true meaning of Christmas with loved ones, this special will invite you to set your heart on the miracle of Christ’s coming—and his death on the cross—that makes way for everyone to find lasting joy. Don’t miss this festive episode that will prime your heart to find gratitude and satisfaction in Jesus, no matter your circumstance, during Christmas and all year round.
Do you find yourself feeling nostalgic, wistful, or drained going into Christmas? Perhaps frustrated, frantic, or lonely? Joni knows well that Christmas time doesn’t automatically induce joy, especially as you grapple with the challenges of disability, grief, or other hardships. This is why she invites you to think deeply about Christ’s coming, and his death on the cross, meditating on what this salvation message means to you personally. Because gratitude will prepare your heart to find joy and fulfillment in Christ’s coming, bringing light into the darkness, and joy that transcends the deepest of pain.
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KEY QUESTIONS:
How do you cultivate the Christmas spirit?
Who in your life could use a word of encouragement this season?
What (or whom) are you most grateful for today? Stop to give God thanks!
KEY SCRIPTURE:
Take time to read and meditate on the promises found in Isaiah 9:6–7:
“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.”
Stephanie Daniels:
Christmas. It's often called the most wonderful time of the year, but let's be honest, that's not the case for everyone. For some, the season may bring joy and celebration, but for others, it can feel heavy with sadness, loneliness, or even dread. Memories of colorful childhood Christmases may fade, and the vivid presence of loved ones might feel distant. Life's disappointments and hardships can sometimes overshadow the joy of the season, making it feel like something to simply endure.
When life presses in so hard, it can be difficult to find the Christmas spirit, but that's exactly when we need the reminder of what Christmas is truly about: the message of Jesus Christ. God in his incredible love gave us his greatest gift, his son. Jesus brought hope, love, salvation, and life itself. Gifts that we can treasure not just at Christmas, but all year long.
Today on the podcast, Joni, Ken, and our dear friend Shauna will guide us in worship and reflect on the timeless truths of our Savior who came to us in the sweetest and most humble way, yet brought light to a lost and dark world. Let's listen together and enjoy the special Christmas message from our founder and friends.
Joni Eareckson Tada:
Oh, I love that sound! Jingle bells, horses and sleighs, and snow, and it's Christmas! Ken and Shauna, Merry Christmas!
Shauna Amick:
Merry Christmas, Joni!
Ken Tada:
and Shauna!
Joni Eareckson Tada:
And I can't think of a better thing than us starting singing one of my favorite Christmas carols. Friend listening, join along!
"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 world 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 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!”
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, and I've got my husband, Ken, here, all dressed up in red plaid. Welcome, Ken.
Ken Tada:
Well, welcome to you, and Merry Christmas.
Joni Eareckson Tada:
Merry Christmas, sir, and Shauna Amick, the voice of Sharing Hope.
Welcome, Shauna!
Shauna Amick:
Merry Christmas.
Joni Eareckson Tada:
Oh, absolutely. You know, I just come alive this time of year. Christmas carols on the radio, in the stores, but especially the Advent readings and songs at our church. The season celebrating our Lord's birth has arrived! Woo hoo! Woo hoo!
Shauna Amick:
Hallelujah! You are right, Joni!
And the musical score for this bright season is always the timeless carols of Christmas.
Joni Eareckson Tada:
Absolutely.
Shauna Amick:
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 Oh Come All Ye Faithful.
Joni Eareckson Tada:
“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!”
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 a 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, "Oh, 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 ya. And, it may or may not. Or, you can create the Christmas spirit!
Shauna Amick:
Well, how do you create the Christmas spirit, Joni?
Joni Eareckson Tada:
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 chapter 9 verses 2 to 7.
Ken Tada:
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 Eareckson Tada:
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 of 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 chapter 1, would you?
Shauna Amick:
I would 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 1 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's 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 Eareckson Tada:
This is what we celebrate. A believer could sing Mary's song all year long. Right, Shauna?
Shauna Amick:
That's right.
Joni Eareckson Tada:
But you know, 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 R. C. Sproul's devotional, "The Advent of Glory."
So, pray with me:
“Oh, Jesus, I'm so astounded that you, the King of the Universe, chose to be born in a, uh, a parking lot behind a Bethlehem motel with a blinking no vacancy sign. You incarnated yourself inside the frail frame of a, 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 Tada:
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 Eareckson Tada:
“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 born for me, for you.
Hail, hail the word made flesh,
The babe, the son of Mary.
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant king to own him.
The king of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the 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, Joyful Christ is born,
the babe, the son of Mary.”
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, now's the time to put it all in focus. Because the genuine spirit of Christmas is really just a, a, 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 is 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, the one 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 Amick:
And Joni, how about the beautiful Christmas cards we created with your artwork?
Joni Eareckson Tada:
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 Amick:
That one by R. C. Sproul that we mentioned earlier is a great place to start.
Joni Eareckson Tada:
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 Amick:
Joni, I think my office supervisor might like that like that idea. Oh, why not? 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 Eareckson Tada:
“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 hallelujah.
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.
Welcome to Earth, baby Jesus.”
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 Oh 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 you 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'll 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's the photo image of all your beauty and excellence, all your mercy and might. No wonder you are 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 loved one 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've got the Christmas spirit. Thank you for joining me and my husband, Ken, and my friend, Shauna, on this special holiday rendition of 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 our world.
“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!”
Stephanie Daniels:
What an encouraging time this has been. I pray it's blessed your heart as much as it has mine. As Joni invited us to do, take time this holiday season to meditate on these scriptures. Let hope and gratitude rise in your heart, even amidst life's challenges. Reflect deeply on the wonder of Christ's coming, his sacrifice on the cross, and the personal meaning of salvation in your life. Gratitude has a way of opening our hearts to joy, allowing us to find fulfillment in Christ's light that shines into our darkest moments, bringing joy that transcends even the deepest pain.
This Christmas message makes me especially thankful for our Radio team. For over 40 years, Joni has faithfully shared messages of hope through hardship on her daily radio programs, reaching millions with the Gospel. As Joni often says, "God's been so faithful to teach me fresh insights on how his word applies to my life. Insights that I share with all of my listeners."
Since her diving accident at age 17, Joni's learned the profound importance of hope and joy for survival. And while the holiday season can be difficult, know that you're not alone. Joni's heart is set on sharing the God of all hope with others, because she knows firsthand that hope makes all the difference.
If you need encouragement this season, Joni and Friends is here for you. Visit joniandfriends.org and click on "Help and Hope." You'll find resources and encouragement as well as Joni's radio ministry. Friends, we love you, and we're praying that joy and hope will overflow in your hearts this Christmas season.
© Joni and Friends