Music triggers our emotions. A song can catapult us back to a certain place, a particular
person, a season of life. Composers write the words and synthesize the music in a way that can bring us together, to make us think, to pull at our
heart-strings, to imagine true love, to help us through a tough time or maybe
we love a catchy tune because it make us want to dance.
My
friend, Shelly, and I listened to the Beatles back in the 60’s. I was married
to Paul and she to John. We would pack up our baby dolls and go on the road
with them, and, of course, we sang back up. Carole King brings me back to high
school when my best friends and I would sing every song from her “Tapestry”
album over and over. My husband and I danced our first dance to, “You and I” by
Crystal Gayle and Eddie Rabbitt. Which songs are included in your memory bank?
The
familiar Christmas carol, “Joy to the World,” was written in 1719 by Isaac
Watts. Over 100 years later it was adapted and arranged by Lowell Mason and
many believe the melody was written by Handel. Here is the interesting fact
about this particular Christmas carol. You may have noticed; the words have nothing to
do with a manger or shepherds or a baby or the three kings from the Orient.
This
song was written to herald the second coming of Jesus. Just as other music is a
trigger for us, let this song be a reminder of the reason Jesus came to earth.
He came in human form to redeem us! He allowed His very own creation to put Him
on a cross to suffer and die. But, on the third day He rose again. Death was conquered. And now we
wait. He is coming back. He is coming soon.
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. One day we will celebrate a new
heaven and a new earth at His second coming. Let this Christmas season, this
time of advent, of preparing our hearts to accept the Messiah, bring your heart
to be filled with expectation, a time to anticipate; not only the celebration
of His birth, but the fact that He will return.
The
words to “Joy to the World,” are based on the words of Psalm 98. Here is a part
of that Psalm:
Shout
for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song and music; make
music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with
trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn-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, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge
the world in righteousness and the people with equity. Psalm 98 4-9
Not ony
will we be singing for joy, but the whole earth will rejoice! He has come! He
will come again! Joy to the World, the Lord has come!
So
you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do
not expect Him. Matthew 24:44
Dear Lord,
We thank You for Your first coming and we await
Your second. We wait and watch with expectation for Your return. Joy to the
Word. Our King will come.
Amen
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