Joy To The World

You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

Luke 1:14

SOME THINGS ARE better sung than spoken. Here are the lyrics to the second verse of the beautiful and well-loved hymn “Joy to the World”:

Joy to the earth, 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.

The Savior’s birth is meant to bring joy—something this weary world desperately needs. Joy is something that many Christians desperately need, too, but sadly lack all too often. The truth is, if our faith does not give us out-of-this-world joy, then we’re seriously missing something. God wants us to have joy—to both feel it and express it. The world needs more joyful Christians. Nothing is a greater witness to the truth of the gospel and the goodness of God than joyful Christians. It is attractive to a watching world. It makes Jesus look good. It brings Him glory for His people to be filled with joy.

It takes time to appreciate the wonders of Christmas. Before long, we’ll be right back into the rush of a new year, and the glory of Christmas will quietly recede into the background without much lingering effect—unless, that is, we learn to slow down, ponder, and give thanks. Pray that God by His Spirit would continue to pour joy into your heart throughout the year and not just during the Christmas season.

BOTTOM LINE

Joy comes when we focus on Jesus. Ask God to fill you with joy by His Spirit this Christmas season and throughout the year.

Moment of Strength: Luke 2:9-11