As his father prayed, little Isaac peeked through his fingers to see what was causing a rustling sound. His eyes spied a mouse crawling up a bell-rope, and Isaac giggled.
After family prayers, Father wanted to know what had possessed his son to be so disrespectful.
“I saw a mouse running up the bell-rope, and it came to my mind:
There was a mouse for want of stairs,
‘Ran up a rope to say his prayers.”
Father was not amused and reached for the rod. Isaac fell to his knees and begged:
“Father, Father, pity take,
And I will no more verses make [1]!”
Neither the little poet Isaac Watts (1674-1748) nor his father could have known where the boy’s penchant for rhymes would take him.
As a late teen, Isaac complained often to his father about the tiresome, chanted hymns of the church. How was a person supposed to sing them with joy as the Bible-psalms often urged, when the music droned in a minor key?
From a 1600’s hymnal
Mr. Watts finally suggested he turn complaining into composing and create better melodies and lyrics. Isaac did, and over the next fifty-plus years more than six hundred of his hymns were published.
Some people found fault with Isaac’s contemporary worship songs. But at least several prominent leaders supported him, including Samuel Johnson, Cotton Mather, and John Wesley [2].
Isaac Watts
Probably the best known of Watts’ hymns is “Joy to the World,” although Watts never set it to music. Decades later Lowell Mason felt inspired to do so and upon publication in 1848, the song soon became a beloved Christmas carol.
Some insist this hymn has no place in the carol-category, because Watts included no elements of the Christmas story in the lyrics.
But as Alyssa Poblete points out: This song celebrates what Christ came to do. And along with looking back at the grace accomplished in the past, we also look forward to the grace accomplished for our future, to the ultimate joy to be revealed [3].
That enlightenment helps explain that puzzling first line, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come” (emphasis added). I’ve often wondered why Watts didn’t choose “has come.”
Ms. Poblete gives us indication. God’s grace (explained in part by the acronym, God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense) is active in all of time—past, present, and future.
Our Messiah’s birth was long-promised for centuries. His coming ushered in a new kingdom of Light. Those who believe in Jesus gain release from the kingdom of darkness, and one day that evil kingdom will be utterly destroyed [4].
In addition:
Christ’s coming is an ever-present and ongoing engagement in the world.
–Darrow L. Miller [5]
The Lord didn’t just come. He is here! And we can sing with dazzling Christmas joy because:
- One day the whole earth will receive her King. Therefore, let heaven and nature sing (v. 1) [6]!
- The Savior reigns forever and ever (v. 2) [7]
- Sins and sorrows will be no more, when Christ returns (v. 3) [8]
- He comes to make his blessings flow (v. 3) [9]
- He rules the world with truth and grace (v. 4) [10]
- The glories of his righteousness and the wonders of his love are on display everywhere (v. 4) [11]
These musicians capture well the dazzling joy of knowing our Savior reigns!
For the reasons listed above and more, Watts invites: “Let every heart prepare him room” (v. 1), and “Let men [all humanity] their songs employ” (v. 1)!
May we be just such people who sing with intention, from a place of authenticity [12].
In fact, take a moment right now if you can, and worship, celebrate, and sing with dazzling Christmas joy!
[1] Betty Dunn, https://www.powerofchange.org/blog/2011/12/16/isaac-watts-joy-to-the-world.html
[2] Erin Tabor, https://www.zmiinternational.org/daily-dose-of-encouragement/joy-to-the-world-the-lord-is-come
[3] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/joy-to-the-world-a classic-christmas-hymn-reconsidered/
[4] Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6; Colossians 1:14; Revelation 20:7-20.
[5] https://disciplenations.org/wp-content/uploads/202004/Music-that-Writes-Culture-Reflections-on-Joy-to-the-World.pdf
[6] Romans 8:19-23; Revelation 22:20; Psalm 96:1-4
[7] Revelation 11:15
[8] Revelation 21:4
[9] Psalm 5:12; 34:10b; 2 Peter 1:3
[10] John 1:14; Colossians 1:16-17
[11] Psalm 33:4; 145:17 31:21
[12] https://passioncitychurch.com/article/joy-to-the-world/
Art & photo credits: http://www.justanotherclaypotblogspot.com 9/10/2008; http://www.boudewijnhuijgens.getarchive.net; http://www.jenikirbyhistory.getarchive.net; http://www.canva.com (2); youtube.com; http://www.pxhere.com and canva.com.
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