JOY to the world.

"JOY to the world, the LORD is come..."

A beautiful, acoustic version of this song was blaring over my speakers not five minutes ago as I took a small break from work to run to Target.  I needed a handful of things: lunch, a snack for Silas {which I forgot to pack because it's not a normal school day}, stocking stuffers {since I cannot purchase these items with the boys in tow} and a few miscellaneous items.  One of my favorite things to do when I'm by myself is listen to music ... really loud.  I attempt this occasionally while in the car with the boys, but within a few moments Silas has requested, 


"Mom, can you please turn that down??  It's hurting my ears."  

{Sigh, I really just want to pretend like I didn't hear him but....}  "Sure, Silas.  I'll turn it down."


Music is the most amazing thing to me.  It can take you to another time and place, stirring up memories of the past.  It relates with you as a person, often bringing about an array of emotions.  It's simply powerful.  Also, it is such an amazing avenue of worshipping God.  All that being said, for whatever reason I plopped back down at my desk and for some reason googled "JOY to the World".  Sometimes it's fun to do a quick research on the history of and get a little background information on how something came into being.  After all, this is undoubtedly one of the most popular Christmas songs and most everyone can probably sing most of the choruses from memory.  


A little History 101 here ... So, did you know that although we sing this as a Christmas song, the words were actually written "as a hymn glorifying Christ's triumphant return at the end of the age, rather than a Christmas song celebrating his first coming as a babe born in a stable" {Wikipedia}.  Issac Watts wrote the song, based from Psalm 98, and first published it in 1719.  The music was later adapted and arranged by Lowell Mason in 1839 as we know it today.


"Sing a new song to the Lord,

      for he has done wonderful deeds.
   His right hand has won a mighty victory;
      his holy arm has shown his saving power!
The Lord has announced his victory
      and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!
He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.
      The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
      break out in praise and sing for joy!
Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp,
      with the harp and melodious song,
with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn.
      Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!


Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
      Let the earth and all living things join in.
Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!
      Let the hills sing out their songs of joy
before the Lord.
      For the Lord is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
      and the nations with fairness."


Psalm 98


after learning of the song's history and for a photo to attach to my blog, I threw this together.
Regardless of whether the song was intended for Christmas or not,  I am ever so thankful that our Savior was born, that the whole earth proclaims of His glory, and that He rules the world with truth and grace.  I pray that in the craziness that comes along with the Christmas season {from parties, to shopping, to traveling, to spending time with family} - that the true reason for why we celebrate does not get placed on the back burner.  Rather, that it remain on the forefront of my mind and my thoughts.      

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