“Let heaven and nature sing, Joy to the world the Lord has Come!” This is the reason the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated by Christians around the world. The Lord has come to earth. Hymn writer and English Christian minister, Isaac Watts wrote this song. It was first published in England in 1833, and popularized by American church music composer, Lowell Mason.
Hymnologist Kenneth Osbeck writes, “‘Joy to the World’ is a paraphrase of the last part of Psalm 98.” He also adds “…this psalm was intended by Watts to be a New Testament expression of praise. It exalts the salvation that began when God became incarnate…”
Jesus is “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” He came as a baby and grew up to be a man who was without sin. The perfect sacrifice to atone (make amends) for the sins of man. The Messiah (Savior). William Peterson writes “We need to look back and praise God for the glorious gift of his Son, Jesus. But we should also look forward to Christ’s return, when God will bring a righteous conclusion to all things. Then we will begin to fully enjoy the ‘wonders of His love’ for all eternity.”
Listen to this recording and arrangement that is full of Joy for Jesus’ birth and expectation for his second coming. Steven is joined by the The African Children’s Choir sounding like angelic voices singing out loud “Joy To The World.” Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube.
This is the Dec. 25 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.
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