The holiday season has officially arrived! All month long, join me for a special podcast series inspired by the timeless lyrics of biblically-based Christmas carols. Together, we’ll reflect on the profound truths hidden in these songs, discover how they speak to our everyday struggles, and embrace the hope, peace, and joy that Christ brings. Whether you’re feeling weary, searching for stillness, or simply longing to connect with God this holiday season, these episodes will encourage your heart and point you back to Him. Today we’re peering into the Christmas carol that will help us prepare Him room.

Welcome to December, friend! I don’t need to tell you that December can be a full month for many of us for varied reasons, especially as we prepare for Christmas. We have lists to make, items to cross off that list, gifts to purchase and wrap, cards to send, homes to decorate, year-end tasks to complete, events to attend, whew! You name it. We’ve got a lot going on. Our schedules can get so full preparing and doing and planning and executing, but what about making space for preparing room for Jesus in our hearts and our lives this season?

After all, it’s His birthday we celebrate.

Christmas is all about Him, even though the world makes it about everything else, and it’s tempting to get caught up in the everything else, isn’t it? Are we preparing our hearts for Jesus’ arrival–both His birth and for when He returns again?

To kick of our Carols of Encouragement series, this week we’re peering into the Christmas carol, Joy to the World. It’s a classic and one of my favorites! I share the origin of this carol and how it wasn’t not written to be a carol at all.

One sentence stands out to me above all the others.

“Let every heart prepare Him room.”

I’ve experienced Christmas seasons where I was so focused on creating the perfect holiday for my family and preparing for the most perfect Christmas ever, that I missed the entire holiday altogether. I missed the heart of the holiday by not making room for Jesus.

I also share some ideas of how to prepare Him room in our hearts and what I’m intentionally doing for in mine.

Click on the player above and listen to the full 12-minute episode.

As the carol, Joy to the World, points us to Jesus’ return more than His birth, great joy awaits us and the entire world. It reminds us that the promise of His return is far greater than our problems, responsibilities, hardships, and disappointments. Joy to the World, indeed! God bless you.

Links in this episode:

• Joy to the World
• Psalm 98 NIV
• Revelation 3:20 NIV
• Dwell by Rachel Fahrenbach (affiliate link)
• Access my free Resource Library