As a reminder, I am sharing some wonderful psalms, hymns, or spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19-20) that have had an impact on my life through the years. I’ve covered decades, even centuries with some of the music I’ve chosen. Today, let’s see how the Christmas carol, “Joy to the World,” has touched my life.

As I prepare to write about this great song of Christmas, I can see the results of the snowfall we had in Colorado yesterday. I am grateful that this storm didn’t turn out as they thought (8-14 inches predicted!). Instead, our grass is blanketed with moisture and tomorrow we are expecting a high of 60.

But this morning, there is snow! And Christmas and snow go hand in hand. So today, we’ll chat about Christmas!

“Joy to the World” has always been one of my favorite Christmas carols. It’s fun to sing. Enjoyable to play on the piano or organ. It’s upbeat. And it tells the story of Christ coming as a baby. It has been argued that it is actually speaking of the second coming, but traditionally it is a Christmas song.

When my granddaughter Joy was born, this became her signature tune. I found a little snow globe that plays “Joy to the World” and she played it continuously. That little globe was put away with the Christmas decorations that year.

We’ve sung this melody for Joy from the beginning and she thinks of it as hers. But in reality, the message is for the world. Christ, our Savior, has come to earth to save each of us from ourselves.

Jesus came as the great and mighty King and destroyed the curse of sin. He rules mightily and reigns over all creation. His love is wonderful and His blessings flow freely. It’s no wonder we rejoice!

So take a look and listen to this great hymn of Christmas. “Joy to the World.”

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

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.

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,
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.[i]

I offer you two versions of this song today. The first one is a newer version that Chris Tomlin has shared with us. You’ll be able to hear it by clicking here. For those who would love to hear a traditional version, click here.

Joy, unspeakable joy!

Now you may not know this, but Isaac Watts (1674-1748) wanted to take the Book of Psalms and write hymns for the Christian living during his lifetime. “Joy to the World” was one of these songs.

Mr. Watts used Psalm 98 as the basis for “Joy to the World,” and as you read through it, see what phrases you recall from the hymn.

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

 The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

 He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

 He will judge the world in righteousness and the people with equity.” (Psalm 98 – NIV)

Joy, unspeakable joy! Yes, we have plenty to be joyful about.

As you attend church service this morning, I pray that you’ll keep this Christmas carol in the back of your mind. Praise God for what He has done for mankind. Thank Him for the gift of salvation He sent along with Jesus. Allow your heart to be filled with His joy and sing so that others will see His joy within you.

Peter expressed this joy well. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9 – NIV)

“Joy to the world, the Lord has come!”

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

[i] Joy to the World, Words: Isaac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid, 1719. Music: Low­ell Ma­son, 1836. Al­ter­nate tune: Thom­as Ha­weis, 1792.