Is “Joy to the World” a Christmas Song?
There’s no denying that “Joy to the World”, written by Isaac Watts, is one of the most famous Christmas songs ever. In fact, it has the distinction of being the most published song in the 20th century.
The funny thing is that it’s not actually a Christian hymn.
Watts wasn’t writing about the first coming of Christ. He was writing about His second coming.
The lyrics to “Joy to the World” were inspired by Psalm 98, where David praises the Lord as our Savior, King, and Judge.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
Break forth into joyous song and sing praises! (Psalm 98:4)
In other words… Let heaven and nature sing!
The Psalm goes on to say:
He will judge the world with righteousness, and the people with equity. (Psalm 98:9)
Compare that with the fourth verse of Watts’ hymn:
He rules the world
With truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of
His righteousness
And wonders of His love!
Now, just because the song is about Christ’s second coming, that doesn’t mean it should be disqualified as a Christmas hymn. Remember, Christmas is the season of Advent, a word that means “The arrival of an important person or event.”. We continue to celebrate Christ’s first Advent because it fills us with hope for the second Advent.
Just as God fulfilled His promise of the coming Messiah, foretold all throughout the Old Testament, so we know that God is faithful to fulfill His promises for the future. Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. For those who are in Christ, it will be a day of great joy.
Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready! (Revelation 19:7)
For those who are not in Christ, it is prophesied to be a day of darkness and gloom.
A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, of ruin and devastation, of darkness and gloom, of clouds and thick darkness… (Zephaniah 1:15)
Only those who are in Christ will be saved. Be on the side singing, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come,” looking forward to His promised return!
…when we understand the text.
(This video is by WWUTT. Discovered by Christian Podcast Central and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Christian Podcast Central.)
