Joy to the World
This time of year the radios are filled with Christmas music. I avoid it in my house as long as I can, but my girls would listen all year round. I’ve found on the Christmas station though, that it’s mostly the same old songs, just sung by different people. Songs about snow, Santa, and one particular terrible song by an 80’s band called Wham! I don’t love those songs, but I do love Christmas hymns. But I was surprised to learn that one of my favorite Christmas hymns doesn’t mention Christmas at all!
Isaac Watts wrote “Joy to the World” based on Psalm 98. All of it is beautiful, and thought it might not mention Christmas explicitly, it’s a celebration of the coming King is one of the most beautiful parts of the holiday. The third verse is one of my favorite verses of any hymn anywhere.
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.
Watts reminds us that the birth of Christ was for a purpose, to break the curse of sin.
The blessings of Christ flow “far as the curse is found. “ That means that there is nowhere on earth that does not need to hear about the good news of Christ. The curse and the effects of sin are felt in every corner of the earth, and we must make sure that this good news gets there!
Think about that. As far as the curse is found is as far as the good news of Christ is to be spread. The curse is found in every tribe, tongue, and nation. And so too the good news that the angel brought, the good news that brings rejoicing, is to be spread until every tribe, and tongue worships at the feet of Christ.
Christmas will be over soon, but we will still have the message to share. Literally everyone you know needs to hear this message, and it’s our privilege to bring it to them.
The ways to do that are endless. Share personally with someone. Go to church and sing loudly and let your life be a witness. Stand for a truth in a world that falls for lies. Be kind and love others as Christ has loved us. Let the world know, that whoever feels the curse of sin has to fear no longer. The blessings flow to every corner of the earth!