Classic Christmas hymns are memorable. They’re powerful with their clear and focused doctrinal lyrics.
They also can fall into the danger of being over familiar, where the words aren’t heard anymore. They become as elevator music to a hearing ear.
Isaac Watts penned Joy to the World in the 1700’s for Christmas. Hundred’s of years later, these lyrics are rich in wisdom and carry remedy for our hearts in turmoil, sadness, and fear.
“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.”
Hearts are burdened and weary. Believers in Jesus, His birth, death, resurrection can be tempted to doubt, forget the good, and lose the song of His grace and new mercies for each new day.
Let’s prepare Him room. The dark world around us needs a God song. Let heaven and nature sing, and let’s take a breath and join this chorus in our attitudes and willingness to shine for Him.
Christians need their lives to sing for the Lord at this time.
People of all ages, the young, the elderly, everyone in this troubled day are in need to hear heaven and nature sing. There’s power and refreshing of outside crisp air, the cover and color of evergreens, the cloud’s formations. A change of space brings revival.
I’ve thought about changes in melody and song. Think of the classic lyrics, Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.
They’re sung in many melodies. Each brings the deep truths alive.
How about “Hallelujah“? Oh, the many different melodies we sing those glorious words of praise.
I ventured to put a new twist to Joy to the World to bring out the lyrics of some fantastic verses:
“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.”
How glorious are these thoughts. We receive Him, and we don’t have to let sin and sorrow grow, we can walk in newness of life and He fills us with His Spirit.
Simply to speak these words lift a weary soul.
Jesus comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found. He is able. He is Savior of the world. He is a gracious, compassionate, slow to anger. He abounds in mercy.
Jesus comes to bring forgiveness to whosoever will believe in Him.
To this we sing Hallelujah. So let us sing, “Joy to the world the Lord is come”!
The soil of our heart can become parched and dry as the day’s minutes pass by.
The winter winds of loss and outside fears bring a sting of pain.
But hear the good news: He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The light of His righteousness
And wonders of His love . . .
Hallelujah. Let earth receive her King!
Prayer:
“Dear Lord, give us Your strength to sing:
“Joy to the world! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ . . .”
You’re the One who asks of us, “Do you have ears to hear? Do you believe I am He? Have you prepared your heart for Me?
You tell us, ‘I’m your peace.’
‘I’m your healing.’
‘I’m your rescue.’
‘I’ve come to bring salvation and grace.’
It’s time I agree with You, Lord. Do I believe You Lord? Help me receive Your love.
Yes, I receive. Yes, I believe.
I pray now, help my unbelief. Bring Your joy to my world. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—John 1:12.
How many ways can we sing, “Amazing Grace”? How many ways can we say “Hallelujah”!
So, let us sing, “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come.”
Let our lives sing as we focus on Him as He lets His blessings flow .
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Hebrews 12:11-13.
“Let us sing, Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”
Merry Christmas to you all,
Toni