JOY

The song had beeen sung thousands of times before and had become too familiar.  The  words and musical instruction usually blurred upon the page and poured out of my mouth benign with no thought.  But this night, the song was presented in simple words upon a piece of paper and they suddenly became alive with meaning.

Joy to the World, the Lord has come!

The Savior that generations had anticipated had finally arrived.  Isaiah had written of his birth 600 years before.  "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given...and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (9:6)

Let earth receive her King!

THE King was born, not in splendor amid royal processions and proclamations, but in a tiny city among sheep and oxen.  Not with servants to attend to his every need, but instead visited by shepherds and 3 little known wise men.  "Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."  Matthew 2:2

Let every heart prepare him room

"Prepare:  to make ready beforehand, to put in a proper state of mind."   Not even the Inn in Bethlehem had a room to allow this King's entrance into the world.  My heart allowed him entrance many years ago, but am I  making room for him every single day?  The words reminded me that he doesn't enter uninvited.   

And heaven and nature sing!

The time had finally arrived. The King's arrival had been planned before even the beginning of time. "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:13  And all of God's creation rejoiced:  "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music, shout for joy before the Lord, the King.  Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.  Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord."  Psalm 98:4-8

And on this night, the song became new again.  A blessed reminder of HIS most incredible gift.