Joy to the World
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For much of December 2024, I was unwell, along with so many others, but my advent readings were a daily uplift. Each entry of ‘Sing in Exultation!’ by Jonathan Cruse began with a carol, followed by a brief scriptural reflection, a prayer and lastly, a suggested bible reading and one or two questions. The unique selling point was a free download of a Spotify playlist of all the carols, which was great. Though my throat was sore, I enjoyed a virtual sing-along each morning.
A wonderful aspect of the journey of faith is that we’re constantly learning: there are always more depths to plumb. The Word of God is ‘living and active’ and even the most familiar passages often speak afresh to us. Something that struck me this year was the significance of the manger to the shepherds in the Christmas narrative. They were among the lowest social classes at the time because their constant proximity to animals rendered them ceremonially unclean. But they alone were chosen to receive the angelic message, ‘For unto you is born this day a Saviour who is Christ (Messiah) the Lord.’ (Luke 2: 11) The angel urged them to ‘go and see’ the baby ‘lying in a manger.’ Off they went and found him lying in animal trough. Did the Messiah’s makeshift cradle render him unclean? Surely not! This must have spoken volumes to them. As hymn-writer Patrick Appleford put it, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us, you are one with us, Mary’s son.’ Immanuel – God with us.
Having found it a blessing throughout Advent, I was dismayed that part of the final reading put my nose out of joint. It began with the first verse of ‘Joy to the World,’ by Isaac Watts, followed by a reflection on joy – lovely. But the question at the end riled me. ‘Do you have complete joy in Jesus?’ Complete joy? Is that possible in a world dogged by so much suffering? Yes, I know, Jesus said, ‘As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you…I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete [or ‘fulfilled’].’ (John 15: 9, 11) Jesus loves us as the Father loves him – this truth is indeed the crowning glory to our joy. But does that mean we experience complete joy in our daily lives? I don’t think so. How can we, with the world so marred by distress and pain? I found it an insensitive question on Christmas Day, which is such a struggle for the lonely and those keenly feeling the loss of loved ones or the strain of difficult relationships.
I do believe we have a downpayment of joy now because we live in the security of Jesus’ love – but fullness of joy lies in the future when he returns to reign.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever. [Isaiah 9:7]
An everlasting kingdom of peace, justice and righteousness – now that’s fullness of joy.
Is it naïve to believe that Jesus will come again to inaugurate his kingdom? Many people would think it laughable. Why do I believe it? The next sentence of Isaiah’s prophecy is where my hope lies – ‘The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.’
Amen. Come Lord Jesus!
