Isaiah 55:12
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Traditional Christmas carols bring back such wonderful memories of Christmases past for me and it is unfortunate that they are not sung as often in the more contemporary services. The rich history, resounding choruses and powerful lyrics speak the truth of the Gospel, reminding us why Jesus came—to be born, to live, and to die on the cross for the curse of sin. Even the mountains, hills, rocks, and plains burst into song!
The candle that we light on this third Sunday of Advent signifies the Joy of the Lord’s coming. “Rejoice, Rejoice!” We find the word “Joy,” throughout the scriptures:
Jesus’ birth is good news of great JOY for all people. (Luke 1-2)
God has promised that He will turn our sorrow to JOY. (Jer. 31. 10-14)
We experience JOY in the healing power of Jesus. (Mark 5: 21-43)
True JOY is found only in a relationship with Jesus (Jn 15: 1-11)
We will rejoice on that day when our JOY will be complete (Rev. 19: 1-10)
Many have wondered if happiness and JOY are the same thing. No, happiness is a feeling or an emotion when our life experiences are going great. JOY is a deep sense of delight and gratitude to Jesus, the source of our JOY. It is not dependent on our ever-changing circumstances but is deeply rooted in the unchanging, solid foundation of Jesus Christ.
The angels proclaimed His arrival so that mankind would also spread the Good News. May our hearts be filled with Joy as we raise our voices in song, proclaiming the Good News and the “wonders of His love!”
“Joy to the World”
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.
Joy to the world, 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.
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.
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.
~ lyrics by Isaac Watts
