Most of us know the well-loved carol, ‘Joy to the World’ but do we know what it’s really about?
Here is a brief breakdown of some of the key messages in this carol.
“Let earth receive her King” / “… the Saviour reigns”
The carol is actually about Jesus’ second coming! When he first came, he wasn’t received as King – he was despised and rejected by those he loved (Isaiah 53:3). Sometime soon, he will come to reign in full majesty (Mark 13:24-26).
“… heaven and nature sing” / “… fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains”
It was inspired by Psalm 98:4 – “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.”
“Nor thorns infest the ground”
Our broken world has been under a curse since Genesis 3 (the fall). When Jesus comes again, all of that pain, death, and sorrow will be gone forever for those who trust in him. It will be ‘no more’!
“Far as the curse is found”
The curse of death affects all of us because of sin (Romans 5:12).
“He rules the world with truth and grace”
John 1:17 says, “…grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” This is what he will be like as King! How wonderful; what cause for joy!
“And wonders of his love”
He showed his love when he took that curse on himself for us (Romans 5:8).
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 Saviour reigns
Let all 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
Sing along!
This is a lovely version of the carol, sung by Handsome and Gretyl:
