Joy to the World

At a conference at a Presbyterian church in Omaha, people were given helium-filled balloons and told to release them at some point in the service when they felt like expressing the joy in their hearts. Since they were more reserved in their worship than other traditions, they typically didn’t verbally express themselves. They would not say, "Hallelujah, Praise the Lord, Amen," or any of the other expressions heard in some churches. However, all through the service balloons ascended. However, tragically, when the service was over one-third of the balloons were unreleased. Whether because of embarrassment or that they were not filled with joy in their worship, we cannot know, however like so many people they needed to be able to release their balloons.

And, isn’t it that time of the year? As we prepare for Christmas, joy is a principle factor in all of the activities. Isaac Watts, one of the great Puritan Reformers, wrote the following Christmas carol in the early 1700’s. In the next few days we’ll look at some of the elements it declares. The first is JOY!

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.
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.

Perhaps, like me, you read these words and begin to hum along with familiar melody of this wonderful song. Now read the account from Luke’s gospel of the birth of Christ:

“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiance, who was obviously pregnant by this time. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn. That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!" Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors." (Luke 2:1-14 NLV).

F. E. Arn, pastor of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Pomeroy, Washington, wrote the following: “Joy is that which encompasses and transcends both happiness and sadness. Once endowed with joy, a person is not likely to lose it and in fact it grows with awareness of it. Joy is like the sun, always shining even when night falls or clouds cover it. Happiness is like the moon, waxing and waning. Happiness is a kiss, joy a golden wedding anniversary. Happiness is frequently shared but not always -- joy is always. Happiness is born in the mind, joy in the heart. Happiness comes from humans, joy from God. Happiness is exchanging Christmas gifts -- joy is awareness of what Christmas is all about.” Imagine this Christmas you’ve been given a balloon filled with helium – can you let it go? “The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!”