Joy To The World!

In Luke 2:10, we read:  "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
As we joyfully anticipate Christmas Sunday, it seems we must sing from the depths of our soul --Joy to the World -- Jesus has come!!
This hymn, by Isaac Watts,  is one of the most joyous of all the Christmas hymns.  It is interesting to note that it omits references to shepherds, angelic choruses, wise men, etc.  Instead, it emphasizes the wonderful joy that Christ's birth brought to mankind.  The entire Advent season should be filled with rejoicing as we contemplate anew God's great gift!

"Joy to the World" reminds us of these words in the 98th Psalm:  "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth; make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.  Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the Lord: for He cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with equity."

Kenneth Osbeck tells us:  "The text was originally titled, 'The Messiah's Coming and Kingdom', when it first appeared in Watts' hymnal of 1719.  The music for this carol is thought to have been adapted by Lowell Mason, an American church musician, from some of the phrases used in parts of George Frederick Handel's beloved oratorio, 'The Messiah', first performed in 1742.  Through the combined talents of an English literary genius of the 18th century, a German-born musical giant from the same period, and a 19th century American choir director and educator, another great hymn was born!

     "Joy to the world!  The Lord is come!  Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing!
      Joy to the world!  The Saviour reigns!  Let men their songs employ --
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, repeat the sounding joy!

      No more let sin and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow 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."

Thank you, Jesus, that because You came, we can have "Joy unspeakable, and full of glory"!!