Joy to the World

All of a sudden, summer has arrived in Dallas. It's the sticky, humid, oppressing kind of heat that makes people grumpy, and because it only generates more heat, you don't particularly want to sit close to others. So when we sang "Joy to the World" this morning it definitely did not synch with Christmas. It's one of our Parish Associate's favorite songs and he refuses to let it sit idle for a few weeks in December and January. When you sing the hymn out of the Christmas season you can look at the words with different expectations. Some sections particularly stand out with a sense of urgency and call to mission.

Joy to the world! The Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room

Joy to the world! The saviour reigns.
Let us our songs employ...

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.
Issac Watts, 1719

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, Let us prepare our hearts and receive the King regardless of the season or the conditions. We have words to employ and mercies to share; let us sing out rather than hum quietly to ourselves. Let our congregation find ways that mirror the glories of righteousness, that will rule the life of our church with truth, and exhibit grace towards others. Let the wonders of your love figure prominently in the mission of our church and within our own lives. There is joy in the world! Thanks be to God! Amen.