Joy to the World

 

Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His aright hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98:1-9 ESV).

 

“Joy to the World” is not only a well-known Christmas song; it’s one of the first songs people want to sing on Christmas Day to celebrate Christ’s birth. This song was written by Isaac Watts in 1719, and it is a Christological interpretation of Psalm 98, which is our reading today. When we sing “Joy to the World,” we are proclaiming that Christ is the fulfillment of what the psalmist writes: “The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.” In the birth of Christ, we see God’s salvation plan being made known. In the life and death of Christ, we see the revelation of righteousness for all people.

 

The psalmist calls for the whole earth to respond with a “shout for joy.” And as “Joy to the World” puts it, both “heaven and nature sing,” and “fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy.” God’s salvation is made known with the coming of his Son to bring salvation.

 

This is the reason for joy. With so many errands to run, tasks to do, and lists to complete, remember to shout for joy! We are called to make room in our hearts for the coming of our Lord. Let’s all join together with all creation in singing our praise to God for revealing his salvation everywhere.