(by Evie Burry)
This post is part of a series looking a Christmas carols and worship. Read the introductory post here.
Christmas is a celebration of joy. It is a season to remember the birth of our Saviour and King. Joy to the World is one of my favourite Christmas carols because it tells the redemption story of God’s great rescue plan. And as we reflect on this story, we 'prepare room' in our hearts to offer worship and praise to God.
Joy to the World was written by Isaac Watts in 1719 with original music by Handel. The song is based on Psalm 98 and reflects the triumphant return of Christ: The Lord is come!
When we sing this, we join with all creation to bring praise to God and declare His glory and goodness: Let heaven and nature sing! The song refers to the hope of the Kingdom and how Christ has come to bring salvation to the World: No more let sins and sorrows grow... He rules the world with truth and grace!
This song reminds us to celebrate with joy the good news: that God sent Jesus, that He came to serve, and that He died to take the sins of the world so that we can have forgiveness and be holy and right with God! Jesus the King rose up from the grave, and He will reign over all His creation. This is the good news! Joy to the world!
Joy to the World is special to my family. It is honouring to sing carols as a family; to give to the King a gift of worship. Songs like this - although old! - are special because as we sing them as a gift of worship to God, He uses them to remind us of the story of His great love and sacrifice.
In all of this silly season of Christmas, we remember a little word: Joy! Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns! He shall be called Emmanuel, Counsellor, Prince of Peace! A Saviour of joy, peace and hope for the world! For God so loved that He gave.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come. And what a wonder is God’s love forever more!
Check out these versions...
Jeremy Riddle @ Bethel (YouTube)
Lyrics
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.
