The Story Behind the Song: ‘Joy to the World’
Last week we were reminded at Church that Jesus’ birth isn’t a Christmas addition to Gods word. Jesus was in the beginning and will be the ending! That is one of the reasons why I love the Christmas carol ‘Joy to the World’. It celebrates Christ’s second coming more than the first. The song is a joyous celebration of the sovereignty of God and the gift of Jesus. What I find wonderfully interesting is that the lyrics are based on a Psalm (rather than the gospel writings of Jesus’ birth).
In 1719 English poet and clergyman, Isaac Watts, wrote the lyrics taking inspiration from Psalm 98:4-9. The lyrics point us to rejoice because of God’s faithfulness to His people, for delivering salvation to earth. What an important truth to be reminded of. At Christmas we remember Jesus was born, let’s also take heed of why He came!
| Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing. Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns! |
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, |
May we pray with the song that all the ‘earth will receive her King’. Come and sing this song and others with us at our Christmas Eve (6pm) or Christmas Day (9am) services. Invite your loved ones to join us as we sing with heaven and nature of the wonders of His love – celebrating that Jesus came and is coming again to restore this world and redeem His people.
Blessings & Love,
Emma
