Joy To The World!
One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is the music! Christmas music brings a special element of joy to the season. There are so many great Christmas songs in almost every style, from whimsical and folksy all the way to classical. I am always excited for the time when the radio station switches to all Christmas music so that our car rides are serenaded with the sounds of the season. The familiar melodies are comforting and cheerful, for the most part. Many of these songs have been ingrained in my mind since infancy and I can't remember a time that I did not know them. Just like all familiar music, however, I catch myself mouthing and humming along to lyrics that I know like the back of my hand without giving any consideration to what those words mean! My older kiddos don't always appreciate this overly analytical approach to music that may cause me to nix a song or two from their playlists at times. However, focusing on the message in the words of the Christmas songs has been a special blessing to me and helps me to appreciate these songs even more. It's almost like falling in love with them all over again.
One of the staple Christmas carols that has stood the test of time and is packed full of Scriptural truth and joy, is "Joy To the World". The words, written by Isaac Watts, are sung at Christmas celebrations all across the globe.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every 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
The gospel is told in this song, beginning with announcing that our King has come! Jesus, the Lord, is the King of all the earth! He came, and all of heaven and earth are called to worship Him.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:9-11, ESV
The next verse is just as triumphant! It calls us to praise our reigning Savior. This is a current state, and we have every reason to be joyful and thankful. His is reigning now! It may not be as visible to us as it will one day, but He has not relinquished one iota of His power. We can rest with confidence in this. Our response is praise!
Joy to the earth, 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.
Our reigning King holds the power over sin and death. Remember when Adam and Eve disobeyed and sin entered the world? Remember how the curse of sin and death entered the world at that time? Jesus came to break that curse and redeem our sinful, fallen humanity. And He did!
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 with grace and truth! What kind of merciful ruler does that? A God who loves His creation so much that He sent His only Son to earth in the form of a baby that would grow and be the ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of the lost and fallen human race. What love this is!
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.
Isaiah 32:1: Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, ...
Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore.
All of this brings me to my knees in worship, thanksgiving, and awe of the gospel story. Jesus, fully God and fully man, came down to Earth to redeem and to establish His Kingdom. Because of this we have no need of fear. He rules with justice and He brings peace. Praise His Holy Name!
May you and your family be blessed anew this Christmas season as you are reminded of the reason for the season and the amazing redemption that Jesus brings. I pray the message of the gospel will echo in your hears through the songs of Christmas! "Joy to the World, the LORD is come!"
Soli Deo Gloria!
Heather Sparks ❤️
This is beautiful Heather. Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!!
ReplyDelete