By Francesca Lee
I think we’ve all heard the popular Christmas song Joy to the World once or twice in our lives, but did you know it wasn’t originally penned as a Christmas song? No, it actually originates from a psalm! Psalm 98 in fact. The words were written by an English minister Isaac Watts who wrote many hymns in his lifetime. In
1719, it was actually a poem within Watt’s collection entitled The Psalms of David.
Fast forward to the year 1848, these words then became lyrics, and were set to a musical arrangement by an American composer Lowell Mason; and thus, the popular song Joy
to the World as we know it today was born.
Throughout the song, there are reoccurring lyrics, instructing us as the singer to sing and rejoice, both in Heaven and on Earth.
Every December, believers and non believers alike come together to celebrate Christmas. A time to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus. A birth that would change the world forever
more, a birth that would bring peace on Earth and great joy.
Luke 2:10-11, 14
“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord….And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!””
So what does it mean to have joy? Joy is usually defined as “a feeling of pleasure or happiness”. Within the world, joy usually comes as fleeting pleasures, for example, receiving a gift, or travelling somewhere new and for lots of us, spending time with those we l
ove. However, within God’s kingdom, we can experience a fullness of joy when we are in the Lord’s presence and receive a joy that is everlasting.
Psalm 16:11
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
We are also told, in the book of James, about joy when it comes to trials. This is a scripture that I hold very close to my heart and one we can all learn from when facing adversity.
James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, m
y brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
It doesn’t always come naturally or easily to be able to rejoice or feel joy when trials come. Within my own life, especially over the last couple years, I’ve been able to look to this scripture to help myself find joy and know that in the process, my faith and perseverance are being strengthened.
I don’t know if you’ve heard the term ‘Jesus Joy’ before?! But having a relationship with Jesus really does produce a joy that nothing in this world can suffice.
So, as in the lyrics of Joy to the World “let every heart prepare him room”. Let us all this Christmas season, prepare room for our Saviour Jesus Christ and let his love and light dwell in our hea
rts. We can then pour these out towards others and rejoice with them this December and for the year to come.
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