Joy

Joy to the World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King!

Let ev'ry heart prepare him room,

And Saints and angels sing,

And Saints, and Saints and angels sing.

Rejoice! Rejoice when Jesus reigns,

And Saints their songs employ,

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more will sin and sorrow grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He'll come and make the blessings flow

Far as the curse was found,

Far as the curse was found,

Far as, far as the curse was found.

Rejoice! Rejoice in the Most High,

While Israel spreads abroad

Like stars that glitter in the sky,

And ever worship God,

And ever worship God,

And ever , and ever worship God.

Based on Psalm 98, the lyrics of "Joy to the World" were written in 1719 by English hymn writer Isaac Watts, who is credited with writing more than 750 hymns. He wrote "Joy to the World" as a hymn glorifying Christ's anticipated triumphant Second Coming - not as a song celebrating His birth in a stable. In most cases, only the second half of his lyrics are still used today. The words were set to music more than a hundred years later by American composer and music educator Lowell Mason. While George Frideric Handel did not compose the tune of this carol, it was inspired by his Messiah, especially by the recitative "Comfort Ye." Today, it is the most published Christmas hymn in North America. (The LDS Christmas Songbook)

I love traditional Christmas hymns and "Joy to the World" has always been one of my favorites. As a Christian, I look forward to Christ's much anticipated and triumphant return.