JOY TO THE WORLD

Every Christmas, we sing JOY TO THE WORLD and it does bring us happiness!  It was written by Isaac Watts, who lived between 1674 and 1748.

Even as a boy, Isaac displayed literary genius and an aptitude for study.  At the age of 5, he was learning Latin, at nine, Greek, at eleven, French and at thirteen, Hebrew.  In addition, he became known as an ardent student of theology and philosophy.

While still in his teens, Watts became very dissatisfied with the deplorable, Psalm singing characteristic of music at that time in the churches.  One Sunday after returning from a service, he was deeply concerned and somewhat critical of the singing.  His father challenged him, “Well then, young man, why don’t you give us something better to sing?”  Accepting the challenge, Isaac wrote a song for the next Sunday, which was received so enthusiastically that for the next 2 years, he introduced a new hymn every week!

You will see Isaac Watt’s name through the hymn book since he wrote approximately 600 hymns…including our Advent hymn for today.