Joy to the World---- by Bishop Travis Gore

 

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

This popular American Christmas song, which at one time was the most published Christmas hymn in North America, was penned by hymn writer Isaac Watts and first published in 1719. It’s a song based on Psalm 98 and was written as a hymn glorifying Christ’s triumphant return at the end of the age rather than a song celebrating His first coming.

Although the song was written to celebrate Christ's coming at the end of the age, the truth of the matter is His birth brought great joy, and His return will bring much joy as well. Jesus is and should be the source of joy in our lives. While we are so busy celebrating what has become known as the most wonderful time of the year, we tend to overlook the fact that there is an absence of joy in the earth today.

·      Racial tensions, racism, and hate are indicators of joyless people and a joyless society.

·      Murder, violence, and contention are indicators of joyless people and joyless society.

·      Broken marriages and fractured relationships are indicators of joyless people and a joyless society.

·      Murmuring, complaining, criticism, and fault-finding are indicators of joyless people and a joyless society.

·      Lukewarm hearts, lack of passion for Christ, and loose living are indicators of joyless people and a joyless church. 

There should be great joy in serving Jesus! In Psalm 51:12, David asked God to, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.”

Where has the joy gone? The word joy or joyful is found 190 times in Scripture. Jesus told us in John 15:11 that “His joy would remain in us and that our joy would be full.”

What is joy? Cheerfulness, calm delight, fullness.

Joy is what you know, happiness is what you feel. You won’t always feel happy, but you can always be joyful.

·      Joy is not circumstantial.

·      Joy is not conditional.

·      Joy is not situational.

·      Joy is a lifestyle you choose to live based upon what you know (God's Word) and who you know (relationship with Christ).

Joy is not seasonal; it's something we can have all year long. Then the angels said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of GREAT JOY which will be to all people.” Joy to the world! The Lord is come…

Bishop Travis Gore
State Ministries Director
Virginia Church of God State Office