During this Christmas week, I have taken the time to discuss the theology of some

of the Christmas hymns and carols that we sing. Today I would like to talk about “Joy to

the World.”

This hymn was written by Isaac Watts and originally titled “The Messiah’s

Coming and Kingdom” when it first appeared in his hymnal of 1719. The original title

illustrates why there is no reference to angels, shepherds, or wise men. It is really about

Christ’s second coming, but we of course sing it at Christmas time about his first coming.

“Joy to the World” is essentially a paraphrase of Psalm 98. It says: “Make a joyful

noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praise.” It then

answers why: “for He [the Lord] comes to judge the earth; He will judge the world with

righteousness, and the people with equity.”

The hymn proclaims that the earth should “receive her King” and every heart

should “prepare Him room.” That has not happened yet, but there will be a time when as

the hymn says “the Savior reigns.”

“Joy to the World” continues: “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.” This

refers back to the Fall in Genesis 3:18 where God says there will be thorns and thistles

that will spring forth from the ground. In the New Heaven and New Earth, the curse

currently on the Earth will be gone.

Christ will also come as Judge. The hymn proclaims that: “He rules the world

with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and

wonders of His love.”

The first coming of Christ was an occasion of joy. The angel said to the

shepherds: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10). But

this hymn also reminds us of the great joy the world will experience when Christ returns.

We should look forward to it with expectation.