A Christmas As Big as Jesus’ Cradle, Cross, and Crown

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH A Christmas As Big as Jesus' Cradle, Cross, and Crown SCOTTY SMITH    "Behold… I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. Be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more." Isaiah 65:17–19    Heavenly Father, I love meditating on Isaiah's tantalizing visions of Jesus' first and second comings, for they remind us that Christmas is pregnant with immeasurable hope and irrepressible delight. You made promises SO big only you can fulfill them. And you are, Father, for every promise you have made finds its "Yes!" and fulfillment in Jesus (2Cor.1:30).    Through Jesus' cradle (birth), cross (finished work on earth), and crown (ongoing work as our enthroned King)—we discover you to be "the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort" (2Cor.1:3)—more loving and joyful than we ever imagined. So, just how big of a deal is Christmas?    For all of us who have received Jesus—the quintessential Christmas gift—you forgave all our sins and declared us righteous in Christ. We've become your beloved children—with a home in your heart and citizenship in heaven—to name just a handful and a full heaven of blessings you have given us.    And right now, Jesus is "making all things new" and is redeeming his Bride from the nations. When he returns, Jesus will usher in the new heaven and new earth of Isaiah's vision. At his 1st coming Jesus defeated evil; at his 2nd he'll eradicate it. The expiration date on all sin and sickness, death and disease, harm and harming will arrive (Rev.21:1-5).    Hallelujah—our forever will be forever full of your truth, goodness, and beauty. We will not want to change one thing about it, as eternity will be way beyond all we can ask or imagine. No wonder Isaiah prophesied with so much joy. Father, the heck with a "merry little Christmas"! Hallelujah, for a Christmas as big as your heart, your promises, and the Gospel! So Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

Welcoming Jesus Afresh

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Welcoming Jesus Afresh SCOTTY SMITH   "Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room available for them" (Lk 2:4-7). "Jesus fills all things everywhere with himself" (Eph.1:23)   Lord Jesus, perfect sovereignty, not uncaring inhospitality, determined your less-than-ideal "birthing suite." Nevertheless, the oft-highlighted image of "no room available" for you, deserves our reflection today. In what ways do we fail to "make room" for you? You "fill all things everywhere" (Eph.1:23); you live inside us as our hope of glory (Col.1:27); and our lives are hidden in yours as the basis and assurance of our entire salvation (Rom.8:1-2: 1Cor1:30). YET, it's also possible for you to be on the outside of our heart-door knocking (Rev.3:20). How can this be? How does this happen, Jesus? How can we get so busy and be so preoccupied with lesser things that we don't even realize when we're not walking intimately with you—not enjoying life-giving, heart-renewing fellowship with you? Thank you for making room for us in your heart. The Gospel is the greatest welcome and hospitality we'll ever experience—today and throughout eternity. Our grateful response is to welcome you afresh, Jesus. We welcome you into our brokenness and weakness. Bring your centering presence and kindness. We welcome you into our fears and vulnerability. Bring the reign of your grace and peace. We welcome you into our chilled affections for you, and our less than loving relationships with others. Bring the flames of heart-renewal, humility, and tenderness. We welcome you into our known disappointments and unknown future. Bring your heart and hand to bear upon all of it—all of our baggage and burdens. Free us to love, trust, and worship you, Jesus. So Very Amen   Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

First, because you gave…

A glimpse of gospel impact—thanks to you.

View in browser Dear First,   Because of your generosity, Jasmine, a young college student wrestling with doubt, found her footing again in Christ.   Jasmine told us, "I was questioning everything. But I kept reading your articles and listening to your podcasts. Slowly, the gospel became clear again. It helped save my faith."   This is why your giving matters.   Right now, confusion is loud, truth is contested, and many believers—especially the next generation—are searching for something solid to stand on. Your support helps ensure they're met not with noise, but with gospel clarity.   As we come to the end of the year, would you consider making a gift to help more people like Jasmine hear the truth of God's Word and hold fast to the gospel?   Your generosity fuels articles, podcasts, training, and resources that strengthen believers around the world.   Thank you for being part of what God is doing through TGC.   With gratitude, Stephen Schindler Vice President of Development The Gospel Coalition Give a Year-End Gift P.S. As a small thank-you for the many ways you support this ministry, please enjoy a free copy of our Advent devotional, Unto Us. The Gospel Coalition PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO,65205   The Gospel Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.   Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

Copious Grace for Specific Issues

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Copious Grace for Specific Issues SCOTTY SMITH "Grace upon grace.." John 1:16    Lord Jesus, the affirmation " grace upon grace" is always precious to us and needed—especially during the end of the year stretch. Every Christmas season is pregnant with sweet memories, emotional drama, stockpiled trauma, the risks of hope—all assumed in your commitment to give us fresh grace and more grace. Thank you.    You know our heart-state and life-stressors as we enter the last two weeks of 2025. In the metaphor of movies, we dream of experiencing the final, heart-warming scene in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life"— or the quirkiness, snow, and fun of "Christmas in Connecticut." Some of us are bracing for our family's version of "Cousin Eddie" and the bedlam of "Christmas Vacation." Others of us would do well to get a visit from "Elf" and his larger-than-life joy.    As for me, Charlie Brown's needle-dropping tree, with a kind dog, carols, smallness, and a few friends, would do quite well this year. For I'm feeling a bit like Scrooge with a small "h" Humbug attitude; or like Ralphie's grumpy dad in A Christmas Story—on edge, triggerable, and not the most fun to be with right now.    Because the Gospel is true—we don't have to pretend, deny, or minimize things. Because the Gospel is good—we can humble ourselves, repent, and collapse on Jesus. Because the Gospel is beautiful—we can risk hoping, loving, and get the help we need. Jesus, we know your "grace upon grace" is the resolution but show each of us what our core issues and needs are right now.    Jesus, thank you for coming to make your blessings flow "far as the curse is found." You do your best work where sin does its worst. By your Spirit, sabotage our pity-parties and whine-fests—our penchant to blame others and make excuses. You resist the proud but give "grace upon grace" to the humble. The last thing we want is your resistance, Jesus, so here's to "getting low." So Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

Jesus Our Grace-Magnet, True Wisdom, and Belovedness

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Jesus Our Grace-Magnet, True Wisdom, and Belovedness SCOTTY SMITH "When the Magi saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy". Matt. 2:10    Lord Jesus, it makes no difference if they were astrologers, wise guys, magicians, or kings. Their number—3, 5, or 7, is just as irrelevant as their arrival date—within hours, days, months, or years of your first breath in our world. The Magi came to you because you are an irresistible grace-magnet. You are the Savior who allures, draws, and seeks; then finds, saves, and treasures us. Thank you for being the author and object , treasure and completer of our faith (Heb. 12:2).    Thank you for actively saving a Bride for yourself as numerous as the stars, sand, and dust—a number so big it's impossible to count (Rev.7:9-10, Heb.11:12, Gen.13:16). You are doing so by the ordinary means of grace and the sovereign work of your Spirit, by friend-to-friend evangelism and angelic visitation , by churches being planted and creation declaring your glory. This is the meaning of history, the heartbeat of heaven, and is happening not-stop "as far as the curse is found"—as far as rebels and prodigals try to run from you    Jesus, all true wisdom seekers will invariably discover you as their heart's destination and delight. For you are wisdom from God—our "righteousness, holiness, redemption" (1Cor.1:30). Speaking of which, Jesus, we have friends and family who are simultaneously deeply religious but so lost. Others who are frozen with shame and paralyzed by guilt, and so certain you could never love them. Others who, like Saul of Tarsus before he became " Paul of Grace," are cynical, angry, and are bent on destroying any and every reference to you.    Jesus, in a category of our culture—what do we want for Christmas 2025? Please save our loved ones that they might discover true belovedness. So Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

Rollercoasters, Redemption, and Rejoicing

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Rollercoasters, Redemption, and Rejoicing SCOTTY SMITH   "Stop what you are doing, take an unrushed look, transforming look. I am creating a new heaven and a new earth—not as a replacement but as a resurrection, restoration, and flourishing of my original creation. Think of a bud becoming a whole bouquet, then a garden. I want you to rejoice with all your being in what I am doing now and will bring in fullness on the perfect Day.    Old Jerusalem will shed her "skin," and the New Jerusalem will emerge as an eternal domain of consummate happiness and beauty. Everyone who lives there will be a joy and give joy to each other. I myself will be Chief Rejoicer and will delight in you with a joy you cannot imagine. Never again will the sound of weeping and crying will be heard ." (Paraphrase of Isaiah 65:17–19)    Heavenly Father, I've read this portion of your Word many times. I've preached it, prayed it, and shared it with others. But with timeliness, freshness, and sweetness—this prophecy from Isaiah gives voice to my "inward groaning and eager waiting" (Rm.8:23-25). I know I'm not alone in craving the fulfillment of all these promises.    We love the incredible "downpayment" and firstfruits of Jesus' first coming, life, death, and resurrection. And now we are on tiptoes with joy and face-down with ache-filled hope for the fullness of his second coming (Rev.21:1-5). ASAP, please.    Personally, you know the emotional, mental, and spiritual rollercoaster I've been on the past 2 ½ years. And Father, you also know I never willingly get on a Ferris wheel, tilt-a-whirl, or gravity, sanity defying theme park ride. Thank you that as 2025 winds down my heaviness is lifting, I can smell the grass of the new earth again, and hoping is easier. There's still a lot that's not clear; but what IS clear is the Gospel and your love for me and my friends. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.