Joy to Your World!
Things with which we are very familiar can hide deeper wonders from our eyes—like a song. We need to look more closely at a hymn like “Joy to the World!” to make sure, when we sing, we understand the great scope and depth of what it proclaims. Today we begin reading from our booklet, Joy to Your World! Today’s excerpt is from pages 11 and 12:“
We sing it every year at Christmas: ‘Joy to the world, the Lord is come!’ We sing it happily, sincerely, and faithfully, for we are committed to the Good News it announces. The first word declares its theme, on the highest note of the hymn, and invites us to proclaim its message with gusto. Its descending, then rising melody mimics the coming of Christ from heaven to earth, and the lifting up of praise from men to God for the gift of salvation and joy. The thrice-repeated last line of each stanza lends a tone of earnestness and sincerity to our singing: We really mean this! It is perhaps the best-known and among the best-loved of all the many and glorious Christmas carols.
“But familiarity with this wonderful Isaac Watts hymn, while it may not breed contempt, can cause us to overlook the power and implications of those beloved lyrics. As we sing ‘Joy to the world!’ do we merely indulge the fleeting delight it conjures, or do we also consider the wonder, implications, hope, and joy those four stanzas declare?
“‘Joy to the World!’ is not simply a narrative of divine mercy for sorrowing sinners, a theology of grace in song, proclaiming Good News for the world in the coming of Jesus Christ. It is that, of course; but careful consideration of these stanzas reveals a compact and concise précis of the Christian life, an announcement concerning cosmic renewal, and a summons to a life of joyous witness, lived and proclaimed.
“Let’s take a closer look.”
For reflection or discussion
1. As you sing just the first stanza of this hymn, how does it challenge or reinforce your view of salvation?
2. What does it mean to “prepare” room in your heart for Jesus? When should you do this? How?
Read today’s excerpt aloud with your family or a friend, and use the questions we’ve provided to begin thinking about the joy of your salvation in a brighter light. Order your copy of Joy to Your World! from The Ailbe Bookstore.
