Joy to the World
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” ~Luke 2:10-11
Each year, beginning in early January, little children begin thinking of what they would like for Christmas, despite it being nearly a whole year away. Isn’t that how we are, though? We set our minds on something and we anxiously anticipate getting it, even if we have to wait a whole year. For thousands of years, God’s people waited in eager anticipation for the Lord to come, the Savior to reign, the blessings to abound, the curse to reverse, the new song to be sung. Since Genesis 3, the whole world has been groaning under the curse of sin while awaiting the promised Seed of the woman who would come to rule the world with truth and grace, and make His blessings flow far as the curse is found (Rom. 8:22). And at that first Christmas, the anticipation was answered with the sound of angels singing for joy, just as we now sing “Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come.”
This Christmas hymn is based largely on Psalm 98, which tells us to “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises” (v 4)! Why? Because “The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations” (v 2). When Jesus was born, the Lord was revealing His salvation to the nations. As godly Simeon said at the presentation of Jesus, “My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32). God’s plan of salvation, revealed in Christ, was not only for Israel, but for men, women, boys, and girls of every nation, tribe, people, and language (Rev. 7:9). This is why the song is entitled “Joy to the World!” It is for the whole world that Christ was sent to redeem for Himself a people.
Ultimately, Jesus’ birth resulted in His death. He came to be crucified for the sins of His people — to hang as a curse on that tree so we might die to sin and live unto righteousness (Gal. 3:13; 1 Pet. 2:24). But that isn’t the end of the story, just like the curse applied in Genesis 3 wasn’t the end of that story. In the end, we know that Christ will return to reign over all the world, to “make the nations prove the glories of His righteousness.” He will come again, and when He does, He will be received as earth’s King, when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:10-11). On that day, surely we will sing again, “Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come!”
Does Christmas bring joy into your heart? Not a passing happiness that results from getting presents once a year, but the lasting joy that’s found in receiving Christ as King, being freed from the bondage of sin and death, and singing praises to the Savior who was born. May you know the joy of Christ’s coming this Christmas, and every day until He returns or calls you home.
Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Pastor