Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her king. Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns, let men their songs employ. While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love.
As we dwell in the afterglow of Christmas, I can’t help but think of all the generations of people that waited longingly for the day of the coming of the Messiah. And finally, he came, not in the way that some expected, but he came, and the promises of the prophets came true.
As we look to the future, I can’t help but think that we are also part of the generations that wait longingly for the coming of the Messiah. Jesus is coming again. We know from our vantage point that the Messiah will come twice, once as a suffering servant and again as a conquering King. But many of the Old Testament prophets put the attributes of the two comings together.
The Christmas carol, “Joy to the World” is sung every Christmas season celebrating the 1st coming of Jesus, but it is really a song celebrating His 2nd coming. It is based on Psalm 98, when David prophecies that Jesus will come to rule and reign on earth. The book Revelation tells us that He will set up his millennial government for 1000 years. Then He will literally be King of the kings of this earth and Lord of the lords. We use that title for Jesus now, but it is really a prophetic title of what will come true in the future. We long for that day.
Often at Christmas, we read the words of the prophet inIsaiah 9:6, “…and He (Jesus) will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. But we need to back up to the beginning of the verse to give context to its meaning. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given (1st coming), and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called…” all those great titles. Verse 7 carries on… “Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne…”
Once again, this scripture is more fully referring to Jesus’second coming when He will lead a worldwidegovernment. Jesus will come and be the greatest leaderthis world has even seen. And many Christians believe, depending on their interpretation of scripture, that we will rule and reign with him in his kingdom.
Yes, the Kingdom that Jesus talked about is spiritual kingdom of Jesus sitting on the throne of our lives, but it will soon also be a physical earthly kingdom. And once again the words of the prophets will come true.
We are waiting and watching, looking forward to the day of Jesus’ coming. Like the shepherds and the wisemen, we are part of the same story, ready to celebrate the coming of Jesus. As we look forward to 2025, could this be the year that triggers the countdown to His coming and his Kingdom on earth? Only God knows… but I hope so.
Let’s close with the Lord’s prayer:
Our Father, who art in Heaven. Hallowed (Holy) be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (traditional ending continues) For thine is the kingdom and the power and glory forever. Amen.
Happy New Year!
Pastor Vern