JOY TO THE WORLD

Rejoice, the King Is Coming

Hymns of Christmas Series
Psalm 98 
Subtitle: Joy to the World

This morning we come to the final message in our Hymns of Christmas series, and it feels fitting to close with perhaps the most recognizable hymn of the season—Joy to the World. Few songs are as beloved, as familiar, or as joy-filled.

What many people don’t realize, however, is that Joy to the World was never written as a Christmas carol at all. Isaac Watts—who also gave us When I Survey the Wondrous Cross and Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed—wrote this hymn over 300 years ago as a poetic reflection on Psalm 98. It was not written to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but the reign and return of the Messiah.

It was a song of anticipation. A hymn of triumph. A declaration that the King is coming.

And yet, I think it is perfectly right that we sing it at Christmas. Because it is almost impossible to celebrate His first coming without thinking about His second coming. Christmas reminds us that He came once—but Joy to the Worldreminds us that He is coming again.

Remember His First Coming

Before we can rejoice in His return, we must remember His arrival.

Nothing about the first coming of Jesus was accidental. Nothing was rushed. Nothing was fabricated. From the very beginning, God was at work.

A promise was given in Genesis.
Prophets spoke throughout the Old Testament.
A virgin named Mary was chosen.
A small town called Bethlehem was selected.
A star was placed in the heavens.
Angels were sent to shepherds.
Wise men were guided across deserts.

When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son.

What a miracle it was—God wrapped in flesh. The Creator lying in a feeding trough. Heaven touching earth, and earth touching heaven. Luke records it as “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

And as glorious as that moment was, the truth is this: the best is still yet to come.

Rejoice in His Soon Return

Thirty-three years after His birth, Jesus was crucified—not because of man’s hate, but because of His own love. He rose again, and He ascended back to the Father.

And in Acts 1:11, the angel declared,
“This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

The first time He came, He arrived quietly—in a stable, surrounded by animals.
The next time, Revelation tells us, He will come riding on a white horse, followed by the armies of heaven.

The first time, Herod tried to kill Him.
Pilate allowed Him to be crucified.
The mob demanded His death.

But the next time He comes, He will be leading heaven’s armies—declaring Himself the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Judge and the King of all men.

The first time He came, only a few knew His name.
The next time, every eye will see Him.
Every knee will bow.
Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

No longer a cradle, but a crown.
No longer humility in a manger, but majesty on a throne.

No wonder the psalmist said, “Let the sea roar… let the floods clap their hands… let the hills be joyful together.”
No wonder Isaac Watts wrote, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.”

Not the Babe—the Lord.

The Restoration of All Things

Now, I understand that for some, joy doesn’t come easily this season. Life is hard. Times are tough. Death is real. Holidays aren’t what they used to be. And not everyone who should be here… is here.

But I’ve got good news for you today.

When Jesus returns, He will settle the score.
When He comes again, He will make all things new.

The saints will return with Him.
Sin will be conquered.
Tears will be wiped away.
Pain and heartache will vanish.
Death itself will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire.

We will be reunited with loved ones once and for all.

This world won’t be patched up or fixed temporarily—it will be fully restored.

That’s why the hymnwriter said,
“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.”

No wonder the song is filled with joy.
Jesus is coming—and He will make all things new.

Conclusion: Let Earth Receive Her King

Psalm 98:2 says, “The Lord hath made known his salvation.”
Isaac Watts echoed it with the words, “Let earth receive her King.”

The first time Jesus came, there was no room in the inn.
Today, the issue is not a manger—it’s the heart.

One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. But today, the invitation is to do that willingly, by faith.

If Jesus came today, would His coming be welcomed by you—or feared?

The same Jesus who came in a manger to save will come again to rule and to reign. And you don’t have to wait until that day to experience His joy.

If you’ve never trusted Christ, I want to encourage you today—receive Him.

Let earth receive her King.

And with that, church, we can say it together—

Joy to the world.