'“Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King.” These words echo throughout churches and beyond during the advent season.

 

This well-known carol was written by Isaac Watts. It is based on Psalm 98, which is all about singing to the Lord because He has done marvellous things for us. Therefore, our response is to be one of joy.

 

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.3 – No.3 – Joy to the World

"Only a short time ago, the world seemed to come to a sudden stop as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed from this life into eternity. This was followed by days of national mourning, many historical ceremonies and pronouncements, and a poignant state funeral.

 

In a few months’ time, the new King – King Charles III – will be crowned, and undoubtedly the pomp and pageantry will be a spectacle producing awe and celebration. For millennia, royalty and key political figures across the world have displayed their prominence, power and wealth, for better or worse, in the most extravagant of ways – expensive vehicles, the finest clothes and uniforms, the biggest buildings and major public events.

"The Carol of the bells is a well-known and much loved piece of music (particularly famous for featuring in the classic Christmas movie, ‘Home Alone’). The carol is based upon the original Ukrainian folk chant, ‘Shchedryk’, and the lyrics were written by Peter J. Wilhousky in 1936.

 

The lyrics of the song are all about the arrival of Christmas and the bringing of good cheer to ‘young and old, meek and bold’. Despite its haunting sound, this song reminds us of the joy of spending time with loved ones and celebrating together at the end of a hard year. Christmas is meant to be a time of glad-tidings and cheer for all. Of course, as Christians, we know that our joy is not reserved to one day of the year but rather that we celebrate Jesus Christ all year round and rejoice in the hope that is found in Him.

 

Read more: Christmas Carol Countdown | No.4 – Carol of the Bells