Everything we look at, read and create has a story. Do you consider the story behind your art? You start in one direction but God may have a different plan. This is the story behind Joy to the World.
I am not saying there is anything wrong with the song. It is absolutely filled with worship beyond measure. Joy to the World may be one of the first Christmas hymns you hear when this season arrives.
Joy to the World is not a Christmas Hymn.
WHAT?
I was totally amazed when I first read this. Could the information from one source be incorrect? So I went to a variety of sites and found the same data:
Many of the creative gifts we enjoy today have a “beginning story” without any intention of being a song. Their beginnings might have been for the author alone. Read the blog on William Featherspoon. The poem written for his own pleasure became famous because of his aunt. This is the hymn we know as MY JESUS I LOVE THEE.
Who wrote the words to Joy to the World?
Many hymns start out as poetry or writings without any intention of connection with music or becoming a song. Such is the tale of Joy to the World.
Isaac Watts is the author. Watts was an English Nonconformist minister, regarded as the father of English hynmody (the singing or composition of hymns.).
What does this have to do with JOY TO THE WORLD?
Watts had a different approach to engaging with the scripture which he reflected in his writings. He took Old Testament passages and expressed them in terms of the New Testament pointing to Jesus.
The words of Joy to the World came from a two part paraphrase of Psalm 98. (The Psalms of David, Imitated in the Language of the New Testament-1719) Watts used the second part (Psalm 98: 4-9) for his poem.
Watts saw this Psalm reflecting the Second Coming of Jesus, not the Nativity Story. I was quite surprised to read this and questioned the reality. More than one source stated the same information.
An Interesting Journey
Until I read many sources, I would not connect this song to Jesus second coming, although that was the intent of Watts poem. So when did it become a Christmas Carol?
Lowell Mason, (a well known composer and arranger) put the words to the current tune. The 1848 publication was the fourth version released. Joy to the World was not yet a Christmas tune. As a result of the publication date, close to Christmas, Joy to the World carries a Christmas Carol label.
Create With Open Hands
Isaac Watts wrote words over three hundred years ago that eventually became the Joy to the World Christmas Carol. The original intent for this poem is far different as to its use today. Does that make a difference? Does it lose its wonder now that you are aware of its beginning. The purpose for Watt’s piece is to point to Jesus and worship Him as the King. You now have an opportunity to see these words through a different yet no less awesome lens.
There is a story God wants you to be involved in and through your life and your art. Watts received, reflected and then responded to what he discovered through Psalm 98 (and Genesis 1).
How do you receive, reflect and then respond to the gift God is sharing with you? With open hands, let’s share what we are given and trust God for the journey. Who knows? The plan may be a ride taking a path for plus 300 years that will give God the glory.
Take some time to receive, reflected and then respond to the present words of Joy to the World.
Feel free to share what you hear.