Can you imagine how joyful heaven is?
I can't either.
But take a moment, use your holy imagination, and try…
No-one is crying.
No-one is sick.
No-one is dying.
No-one is sad.
No-one is hurting.
No-one is waiting.
No-one is poor.
Injustice is gone.
Crime is gone.
Everyone is fully alive.
That’s what Jesus left... to come here.
Perhaps even more staggering? That’s what Jesus brought when He came here.
A new kind of Kingdom. A new reality. Only a shadow of the real thing, of course. But before Jesus brought heavenly joy to earthly sorrow, there was less of God’s Kingdom here. Now that we know that the Savior reigns— not Ancient Rome, not earthly kings, presidents, or dictators—our joy can echo across the land.
Speaking of the land, what was once cursed because of our sin, can now be blessed. Jesus brought blessings enough to cover every inch. You can’t find a place cursed in Eden that the blessing of Jesus isn’t available. Joy! To the world!
This year, when we sing “Joy to the world,” perhaps we could be compelled to partner with Jesus to dispel worry, oppression, and sin. Seek first His Kingdom and His justice. Pray the words He taught us: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth like it is in heaven.”
And then let’s do His joyful will to bring joy to His world.
Someday, we’ll leave the shadow and enter the light. And we won’t need our imagination any more.
Joy To The World (click on the title to hear a fresh setting of these lyrics)
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King.
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room,
And heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n and heav'n and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods,
Rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.