On this “Second Day of Christmas” let’s take a look at the carol “Joy to the World.” This is such a joyous song and in many traditions the first song to be sung following Advent. The lyrics were written by Isaac Watts and the melody is attributed to George Frideric Handel. However, it is possible that only parts of the melody were actually written by Handel.
Another interesting twist is that the lyrics were actually about Jesus’ “second coming” rather than his birth. Of course, I have no problem with singing it as a Christmas carol. Interestingly enough, there are many prophesies that contain references to both Jesus’ birth and His second coming, as well. No wonder the Jews were expecting a reigning king to deliver them from their bondage.
But make no mistake, this song is about Jesus and He is on His throne! He has come into this world and He is reigning over it. With all the struggles in the world and the proliferation of information about it, one could easily slip into despair. But, for me, seeing all the amazing prophesies that were fulfilled so clearly by Jesus incarnation, His life, death, resurrection and ascension, gives great assurance that He is in control and that the other prophesies will just as surely be fulfilled.
May this Joy fill your heart today!
Here’s a beautiful rendition of the song.
Joy to the World
- Verse 1
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her king;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
- Verse 2
Joy to the earth! the savior reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
- Verse 3
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
- Verse 4
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love,
And wonders of his love,
And wonders, wonders, of his love.