Joy to the World
1 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.
2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3 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,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
4 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.
Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
In an increasingly dark and dreary world, our Lord above shines his light and everlasting joy to all hearts who prepare room for his love. I never paid much attention to the lyrics of this song as a child, but as I got older, I understood what this meant. A hardened heart cannot see and experience pure joy, nor is someone able to extend love and joy to others. I suppose to best illustrate this would be the famous green grinch that Dr. Suess introduced us to many years ago. A miserable green creature making it his mission to make everyone else around him miserable. I’m pretty sure the Who’s of Whoville are the most forgiving and chipper fictional beings ever created – they exude joy and happiness. In case you need a fun trivia fact for your next holiday party… Dr. Seuss was Lutheran.
Pop culture aside, as we begin our journey into another holiday season, I challenge you to think about how you can shine light and love on those around you. Is your heart open to receive the Lord’s love? Maybe you are deep in the pits of a trial in life and joy feels far away; I have had this feeling many times over the last year. I would wager to say many have felt this way at some point or another in our lives, you’re not alone. I wish happy days on everyone I meet but I know there are many pains and sorrows that we will be trialed with. I also know that when you open your heart and allow vulnerability to receive love, it can lead to soul crushing heartaches, but it can also lead to immense joy and happiness. Earthly delights can bring fleeting joy. The Christmas cookies and gifts received over the Christmas season will make our hearts temporarily happy, yet the everlasting joy and happiness that our lord bestows upon us will last until the end of time.
This song is one of my favorites at Christmas time. It is the song that little kids dance and move to during Christmas Eve service, church members smile as they sing and smile at each other … it encapsulates the Christmas season perfectly. When I hear this song, I always feel joy within. I think the upbeat nature of the song helps but I also think about the joy I have while visiting friends and family during the holidays. I think about the joy that comes from having spices and sugar fill the kitchen, followed by joy and satisfaction as Christmas treats are consumed. I think about the joy in knowing the days are getting longer and lighter after December 21st! Most importantly, I think about the joy in knowing that God sent his son to save us all . . . the greatest love story ever known and for this, heaven and earth sing at such a joyous thing!
Peace and joy be with you during this holiday season.