My daughter’s second grade Sunday School class presented a nativity play to their parents this past weekend. The play came complete with a narrator (the teacher in the red shirt in the below photo), dialogue, costumes, and hymns.
My daughter is the one on the right. When she found out they were going to put on a play she asked me, “Is there a lead angel in the Christmas story?” “Gabriel?” I replied uncertainly. So she informed her teachers that she wanted to portray Gabriel. Here she is (standing exactly on her masking tape spot) telling Mary about the impending birth of Jesus.
The kids closed their performance by singing Joy to the World, which caused me to wonder about the history behind one my favorite Christmas carols. So I looked it up! Here are a few fun facts:
The lyrics for Joy to the World were first published in 1719 by Englishman Isaac Watts (1674-1748). Interestingly, despite that the song has become a Christmas carol over time, he wrote it with Jesus’s second coming in mind. Not His first coming. Watts was inspired by the latter half of Psalm 98….
4Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
Joseph, Mary, Jesus, and that beloved Christmas story character, the black and white cow.
The origin of the music for Joy to the World is slightly mysterious, but most credit composer George Frideric Handel (1685–1759). However, no autographed score exists nor other documented evidence to authenticate Handel as the composer. Thus, some think that the music is cleverly ‘borrowed’ from several compositions by Handel.
Joy to the World is now almost 300 years old! It’s a piece of art, made for the glory of God, that’s withstood the test of time. It’s been sung, enjoyed, and appreciated by generation after generation.
Here’s a short video of my daughter’s Sunday School class, singing a portion of it….
Readers, thank you so much for the support you’ve shown to me and my books in 2016. YOU are the ones who make it possible for me and the other ladies of Inspired by Life and Fiction to publish our own pieces of art to the glory of God.
Merry Christmas from my family to yours! May God’s peace fill your heart and home this season. Joy to the world. The Lord is come!
Becky Wade
Latest posts by Becky Wade (see all)
- #LiftMyStack Challenge! - May 9, 2025
- Becky’s Favorites - April 27, 2025
- One Powerful Way to Help Authors… - April 25, 2025
Thanks so much for sharing this special moment for your family. I love the info about Joy to the World.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Betty!
What a joy filled post, Becky! Your daughter is adorable and I loved learning more about one of my favorite carols. How interesting that it was inspired by the second coming. I had no idea. But the words fit that occasion equally well. May you and your family have a Christmas filled with joy, singing, and even friendly black and white cows. 🙂
“How interesting that it was inspired by the second coming.” I found that fascinating, too, Karen! Wishing you a Christmas filled with joy, singing, and black and white cows!
Wow! Had no idea about the history of ‘Joy to the World’. Learning it was about Christ’s SECOND coming puts a whole new perspective on it. Thanks for sharing that, as well as your daughter’s play (so cute!), and your lovely family’s Christmas card.
One of the highlights for me for 2016 was getting to meet you at the CFRR. Getting to see the person behind the fantastic books that I adore was a true fan-girl moment I will never forget. You may not either because of my high-pitched squealing :-). Hope you have a wonderful holiday and fantastic New Year, with many, many more books being churned out.
CFRR was one of the highlights of my year, too, Amy! Whenever I’m feeling discouraged about my writing, I remember meeting you and the other readers that day. Merry Christmas! May there be many exciting moments in 2017 that are worthy of squeals. 🙂
Becky, thank you for sharing your daughter’s program (she made a great Gabriel!) and the history of my favorite Christmas hymn! Blessed Christmas to you and your family and thank you for sharing your gifts with all of us readers! I am looking forward to the new year and more of your 📚!
I’m looking forward to the new year, too! A very blessed Christmas to you and your family, Caroline.
Enjoyed your history information on Joy to the World.It’s one of my favorite songs.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
It’s a favorite of mine, also, Diana! Merry Christmas and happy new year back atcha!
Becky, I love your posts! That is precious!
Thank you, Lenora!
Becky, thank you so much for this wonderful post! Your daughter is so cute!
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Blessings to you and your family!
Thanks, Caryl!
How adorable! Thanks for the fun post, and thanks for sharing your time and talents. I’ve read several of your books and have loved them all. I’m looking forward to more of them in the future. Have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year!
Thank you for reading my books, Winnie! I’m wishing you a wonderful Christmas, too. 🙂
Interesting history of Joy to the World. I didn’t know it was written for Jesus’ second coming. Merry Christmas!
Me, either! I did some research into Hark the Herald Angels Sing, also. I was surprised to learn that the author of the lyrics requested serious and somber music to accompany his words. It wasn’t until long after his death that someone paired his lyrics with the upbeat music we associate with that hymn today. Fascinating!
Very cool!
Nothing sweeter than children in a Christmas play, singing Joy to the World!