Joy to the World

The hymn “Joy to the World!” presents its text with a joyful, festive tune, strong in direction and resolution. The triple repetition of the end of each stanza portrays the excitement of an amazing event, the kind of event at which a person might repeat again and again an expression with delight and wonder, for instance, "And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and heaven and nature sing."

What is the delight and wonder, the amazement and excitement? “The Lord is come!” He brings joy to the world. Our conclusion should be: “let earth receive her King.”

The Lord Jesus came the first time as a babe in the manger: humble, gentle, and mild, “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” He will come the second time, as conquering King, to set up His rule and reign on the earth for 1000 years. Both days stand full of amazement and wonder, joy and excitement.

So too is the day when a sinner receives Christ as His Lord and Savior. The Bible says that the angels in heaven rejoice when one sinner repents. Imagine: forgiveness of sins, eternal life, peace with God, a new heart, a heavenly home, your name in the book of life, the indwelling Holy Spirit, blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus! All of this and more because the Lord has come—into your life.

Have you received Jesus as the King of your life? If you have, live in the joy of the Lord. If you haven’t, there is no greater day than today to receive Him as King.