The most popular song at Christmas is Joy to the World. Isaac Watts wrote it in 1867 and later it was put to the music of Handel’s Messiah. The song was part of Watts writing hymns through the Psalms and Joy to the World was a response to Psalm 98. As you sing it this year remember that Jesus brought Joy to the World when he came as a baby boy.
Luke 2:8-11
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
Good News
Jesus brought joy to the world through his salvation. The angel announced that he was bringing good news of great joy. That good news was for everyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only one who can bring us joy. We can’t manufacture it on our own; we get by having him in our lives.
Pursue Joy
In John 15:11 Jesus told the disciples that he was giving them his joy and that he wanted them to be full of it. People are going to great lengths and spending a lot of money to find this joy. In their pursuit of happiness and pleasure, they think that they will finally be content, but they discover that it is temporary. With Jesus, he gives it to us for free, and it never runs out.
The Secret to a Joy filled Life
How do you get this joy? John 15 tells us two ways that we have this joy: To abide in Jesus and obey his word. This brings us closer to him and fills us to overflowing. Whenever we are close to Jesus, we will have joy. When the wise men saw the star that lead to Jesus, they were full of joy and rejoiced exceedingly (Matt 2:10). Joy is found as we get closer to Jesus. Everything else is temporary.