A Joyful Christmas
Thursday, December 26
A Joyful Christmas
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. Psalm 98:4
Joy to the World is a widely published Christmas hymn in North America from the pen of Isaac Watts, a British pastor who grew up in a Christian family in England. When Watts began pastoring in London, he wanted to take the Psalms of David and paraphrase them into hymns tinged with New Testament reality, and in 1719, he published Psalms of David: Imitated in the Language of the New Testament. “Joy to the World” is Watt’s rendition of Psalm 98: “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises …. For He is coming to judge the earth” (verses 4, 9).
This passage emphasizes Christ’s reign, when our Lord will subdue nations, judge the earth, and reveal His righteousness in the sight of humanity. Think of the words, “Let every heart prepare Him room.” That first Christmas, many people made room for Jesus. Mary made room to physically carry the Savior. Joseph made room in his heart and lifestyle to care for the newborn. The Magi made room in their schedules to travel to Bethlehem. Make sure you are making room for Jesus Christ; that He’s the dominant focus of your thoughts and primary force in your life.