Celebrating the Savior’s Arrival

Celebrating the Savior’s Arrival calls us to share the Good News of Jesus and sing with glad hearts that the Lord has come.

“Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; be cheerful and sing for joy and sing praises.”—Psalm 98:4 NASB

In 1719, Isaac Watts wrote a hymn called “Joy to the World,” based on Psalm 98 and Genesis 3. Over a century later, Lowell Mason set it to the beloved tune we joyfully sing at Christmas.

Watts began with a simple but powerful declaration: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King.” Watts recognized that if Jesus truly has saved us, we should shout for joy! And this joy should cause us to share the message with others: “Let every heart prepare Him room, and Heaven and nature sing.”

Jesus came to free us from sin and enable us to experience God’s blessings: “No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.”

Watts wanted us to know that we can depend on God, for “He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness.” The “wonders of His love” show how much He cares about us every day of the year, not just today.

Although there is trouble and uncertainty in the world this Christmas, you don’t have to be overcome by worry or doubt. God sent Jesus, so you can have joy … right now! The Lord has come!

Don’t bottle up the joy of the Savior’s birth! Sing praises to His name, and share the Good News with others!

Reflection Question: How will you share the joy of Jesus’ arrival with someone today?