It is so easy to take the traditional Christmas songs for granted, thinking they're out-dated or old-fashioned. Nothing could be further from the truth. "Joy to the World" was actually written to a musical score entitled "Antioch", named after the city of Antioch where believers were first called Christians (see Acts 11:26).

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King." (Psalm 98:4-6)

Find the heart of the Psalmist in the words to this song.

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.

Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns:

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy.

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.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of his righteousness

And wonders of his love.

According to many historical hymnists, of all the sacred carols, "Joy to the World" is perhaps the most positive and uplifting declaration of the message of Christmas although there is no mention of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the manger or the wise men. While the initial verse announces that "The Lord is come," it is the only one that is related to Christmas and the birth of Jesus. The other verses could easily be appropriate for any season of the year.

One other noteworthy fact is that Lowell Mason is generally said to be the compose of the tune, however, it was his practice to remain anonymous and not take claim to the musical composition. The humility of the composer coupled with the inspiration of the author made for a powerful proclamation of praise to the One who "rules the world with truth and grace"!

The second verse reminds me of Jesus entering into Jerusalem on a donkey while the people are crying, "Hosanna!" The Pharisees challenged Him to rebuke His disciples; His response was, "I tell you," replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." (Luke 19:40)

Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns:

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy.

Will you join the centuries of men, women, and children in proclaiming, "Joy to the Word! The Lord is come!" If we don't the "fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains", will cry out in our stead! Joy to the world!

Father, You alone are worthy of all our worship. As we sing the carols of the season, help us to remember that we should proclaim Your praise every day of the year, not just during this season! Father, there are no words to express the overwhelming joy I feel right now – evening the midst of all my circumstances – knowing that you "came to make your blessings flow far as the curse is found"! Flow like a river, Lord, throughout all the earth as Your people proclaim the glorious wonders of Your love! Amen and Amen!

© Jan Ross

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