A Christmas Devotional: Joy to the World

“Joy to the world! The Lord is come; let earth receive her King.”

So begins one of the most best-known and loved carols of all time. The Isaac Watts classic elevates the humble birth of Jesus, declaring Him to be sovereign over all creation. Though born in humble estate, He was destined to rule the Kingdom of God – yet many are not accepting of His rule.

Watts’ carol is actually based on the coming of the Lord in Psalm 98 which intriguingly focuses more on the Lord’s second coming. Though His birth is cause for rejoicing, it is His second coming that brings greater joy, for it will usher in His final victory over sin and death and judgment. He comes to inaugurate a new and everlasting kingdom, one promised to all who call upon His name (Rom.10:9-10).

If, with the Psalmist, with Watts, and with the whole church down through the ages, we turn from sin and find salvation in Christ Jesus, then we too will inherit the earth, and know His kind and gentle rule for all eternity. And so this Christmas, “let every heart prepare Him room” that we might sing “Joy to the world” here and now, in readiness for when He comes again to rule with all grace and power forever and ever.

– Shane Gooch

Posted on By Shane Gooch Devotional Posted in Devotional Tagged #

Shane Gooch