Whichone?

Written by cycleguy on April 11th, 2017

“Joy to the World the Lord is come…”

Christmas song or Easter song?

Written in 1719 by Isaac Watts, he never intended it to be sung as a Christmas song. But it has become one of the most well-loved Christmas songs we sing. But as we are often guilty of doing, we skip over some of the stanzas. If we don’t skip over them we skim them. Hence, we might miss the third stanza of this hymn:

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,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as the curse is found.

The mission of Jesus was not to come as a baby. That “started” it. But the mission of Jesus was to wipe out the curse of sin, death, hell and the grave. He came to unleash His power and grace in an unprecedented act of love. He came to restore our relationship with the Father which sin had broken.

What a tremendous truth to ponder as we enter this time of the year. Or if I may borrow the words to a song which has nothing to do with this topic: “the most wonderful time of the year.”

 

5 Comments so far ↓

  1. Oh, Bill, I will never look at “Joy to the World” the same way after your commentary, and that is a good thing. The true joy of salvation is in the resurrection, hands down!
    Have a happy and blessed Easter!

  2. Pam says:

    How very interesting that a song we limit to Christmas is also appropriate at Easter! I wonder how many other carols we have done this with? Good thoughts, Bill!

  3. Ceil says:

    Hi Bill! I have heard of that verse for the song, but never really ‘heard’ it until now. Thank you for enlightening me!
    Have a prayerful and blessed few days in this Holy Week, leading up to the wonderful day of Easter!
    God bless,
    Ceil

  4. Lisa notes says:

    Yes, this is the most wonderful time of the year! These words reverberate deep in me, Bill: “He came to unleash His power and grace in an unprecedented act of love.” Wow! That will preach. Have a blessed Easter.

  5. floyd says:

    For sure. The most important and the only thing that matters in this world is that Perfect event in human history. The last and final Perfect sacrifice for the removal of sin to all who acknowledge Him.