We’re well into advent, and I’ve been thinking about how the subject of many traditional carols involves one or more fruits of the spirit. The first one to come to my mind is “Joy to the World.” This hymn was written by Isaac Watts, a prolific song writer, known as “the father of English hymnody.” You may notice it doesn’t mention the baby Jesus, the manger scene, shepherds or angels. That’s because Watts did not write it as a Christmas song. It is actually based loosely on Psalm 98:
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!
With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
So you can sing this hymn not just at Christmas, but all year long. I’m posting the lyrics below. Enjoy!
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.
Joy to the world, 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.
Read more: Christmas Carols – Joy To The World Lyrics | MetroLyrics
Lutheran Ladies Connection 
Pingback: O Holy Night | Lutheran Ladies Connection