3 DECEMBER

 

Joy to the World

One of the most popular Carols sung regularly at Christmas is “Joy to the world” but did you know it was not written to celebrate the birth of Christ or Christmas? In fact, the writer never intended it to be sung!

The author was Isaac Watts and in 1719 he published a book consisting of poems he had written inspired by the Psalms of the Bible. His aim in writing was to encourage people to praise Jesus as He is revealed through the Psalms. “Joy to the world” was based on Psalm 98 and makes no reference to the birth of Jesus, but it does describe His second coming to judge the world. Watts saw this Psalm as celebrating Jesus the King of the church and the world.

It would be over 100 years before “Joy to the world” was set to music and sung at Christmas, ultimately becoming one of the world’s most loved Carols.

Does this mean we should not sing this Carol at Christmas? I like the answer provided by Pastor Chuck Swindoll:

“Not at all! This hymn celebrates God’s involvement with His people – and the work of God began at the stable in Bethlehem. At Christmas we need bi-focal vision. We need to look back and praise God for the glorious gift of His Son, Jesus. But we should also look forward to Christ’s return, when God will bring a righteous conclusion to all things. Then we will begin to fully enjoy the ‘wonders of His love’ for all eternity.”

“Joy to the world! The Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King;

And heav’n and nature sing,

And heav’n and nature sing,

And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.”

Read Psalm 98 and count the number of statements that could be applied to Jesus. Then get a copy of “Joy to the world!” and sing it out loudly!