Did you know “Joy to the World” is not about Christmas? That might seem strange to say; after all, it’s the most popular Christmas hymn of the 20th century! But take a closer look—there are no mangers, angels, animals, shepherds, or babies.
Most of the hymn is based on Psalms 96 and 98. These psalms show God’s people joining with all of creation to rejoice in God’s glory and strength. They can see his salvation with their own eyes, so they celebrate!
Isaac Watts took that language of celebration and aimed it at Jesus’ second coming. He invites us, as we sing, to see him as though he is coming right now. The Lord has come, so rejoice! Prepare him room! Join with the “fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains” to “repeat the sounding joy.”
There’s a reason for this outburst. In Genesis 3, After Adam and Eve sinned, God laid a curse on the earth. It would grow thorns and thistles; work would be frustrating and life would be sorrowful, because sin has consequences. We feel that curse now. We were already anxious, worried, tired, heartbroken, homesick, and grief-stricken. Now an invisible virus can derail our celebration plans at a moment’s notice. This is a perfect time to remember: the ground is hard, but Jesus breaks the curse. “He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found.”
“Joy to the World” is not about the birth of Jesus. It’s about his return, and that makes it such a powerful Christmas hymn! This Christmas, remember that God always keeps his promises. Celebrate, because Christ has come. Rejoice, because he is coming back!
-Justin Hendrix