MONDAY December 16th
Over the next few devotions, I am going to be taking a break from the series we are going through at the moments and bring some devotions looking at some of the songs or carols that we sing during the Christmas period.
I think that a favourite for many is ‘Joy to the world, the Lord has come!’ by Isaac Watts (1674-1748).
It is a wonderful hymn that starts off by recalling one of the most wonderful of all announcements that has have been delivered on earth and heard by mankind and particularly the shepherds who were watching their sheep the same night that an important baby was born, and this was the announcement:
‘And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”’ Luke 2:10-12 These verses are my favourite verses that are to be found in the nativity story.
It was a message that the world needed to hear way back then two thousand years ago, for what a moment in time it truly was when God’s Son took on flesh and entered this world through such a miraculous way to become the one who would be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.
And it is the message that the world needs to hear today, that there is joy for this world that is full of so much angst and desperately looking for peace and it is to be found in the One who yes, entered this world two thousand years ago, but not just as the baby whose birth we celebrate , but more importantly as the One who gave his life to bring the peace that we all so much need, first peace with God, as he took upon himself our sins and our sorrows, bearing all that was needed to bring us the opportunity of forgiveness and reconciliation to God, and secondly to bring peace between mankind, for he was to be named among many other names the Prince of peace.
Joy can only come when we know what it is to have peace, and so we need firstly to accept the One who himself is peace, allowing him to come into our lives and to change us and transform us.
So, as we go through this Christmas season, let us all ensure that in the two lines found within this hymn, I struggle to call it a carol for they are words we should be singing all year round, ‘Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare him room’.
As you read or listen to this devotion, have you received this wonderful King, for the second verse reminds us that he is also the Saviour, yes, he reigns, but we need him to also reign in our hearts. Make room, prepare room for him in your heart today.