In his book Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions, Kenneth Osbeck reminds us that one of the most familiar Christmas carols, “Joy to the World” by Isaac Watts, was intended, in Osbeck’s words, “to be a New Testament expression of praise.” Watts originally titled the hymn “The Messiah’s Coming and Kingdom” when he wrote it in 1719. Without mentioning the typical themes of Christmas—like shepherds, angelic choirs, or wise men—Watts aimed to direct the listener’s attention to the arrival of the promised Messiah and His mission to undo the curse brought about by Adam’s fall. Christ’s coming and His redemptive work remain humanity’s true reason for praising Him.
“Joy to the World” is, in fact, a paraphrase of Psalm 98, where the psalmist writes:
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.
Compare this to Watts’ lyrics:
1. Joy to the world; the Lord is come; let Earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room, and Heaven and nature sing.
2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns; let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy.
3. 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.
4. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love.
As you, your family, and your church prepare to celebrate Christmas, the true wonder lies not in the date of December 25th, but in the reality that Immanuel, “God with Us,” came into the world. Born of a virgin, He lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death, rose victoriously on the third day, and now lives to intercede for us at the right hand of the Father.
On behalf of Mrs. Sandra, our family, and the staff of the Ogeechee River Baptist Association, we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
~Jeff
Highlights for December & January:
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
100% of your gifts directly supports missionary presence around the world so lives can be transformed through the gospel.
Third Thursday Minister Roundtables, starting January 2025
According to Lifeway Research, 64% of pastors feel a need to strengthen their relationships with other pastors, and many are open to guidance from those who have faced or are facing similar challenges. Our first Third Thursday Minister Roundtable will be on January 16 at 10 AM. This time is set aside for prayer, fellowship, and peer learning among the ministers of ORBA.
Disaster Relief Information and Interest Meeting:
Thursday, January 23, 6:30 PM, Southbridge Community Church (12376 U.S. Highway 301 South, Statesboro.) This meeting is open to any and everyone who has an interest in establishing a Disaster Relief team in our association.