Joy to the World is a beloved Christmas hymn. This Christian advent hymn was written by Isaac Watts. He lived between 1674 and 1748. Watts was a prolific song writer. He was also a student of theology and philosophy. He wrote volumes of essays and Christian literature that had a significant impact on English thinking at the time.
One Sunday after the teenage Watts returned home from church he was dissatisfied with the congregational signing, mainly because of its negativity. He shared his feelings with his father. His dad said, then why don’t you give us something better to sing. Isaac Watts wrote his first hymn the following Sunday. For the next two years Watts wrote a new hymn each Sunday. His hymns were enthusiastically used by the congregation in his home church. In 1707 Watts published over 200 hymns in a hymnal entitled Hymns and Spiritual Songs. He published another hymnal in 1719. These two hymnals are the first two hymnals in the English language. In all, Watts wrote about 600 hymns and spiritual songs. Watts has been called the Father of English Hymnody
Watts wrote songs that were uplifting and encouraging. He once shared his thoughts about hymns and the spiritual songs of his day; that while we sing the praises of God in the church we often flatten our devotion, and too often awaken our regrets which touches the uneasiness within us. Watts was determined to change this. He wrote songs and hymns that elevated the spirit and the soul; one such Hymn is Joy the World!
Most Christians have heard of George Fredrick Handel. His greatest contribution to sacred Christian music is The Messiah. It is well documented that Handel wrote all 53 numbers or movements in The Messiah in only 24 days – an astonishing stroke of heavenly inspiration and earthly genius.The first public performance of the Messiah was on April 13, 1742. Handel was a master at the keyboard, opera, and composition.
Both Handel and Watts lived in London at the same time and probably knew each other.The English Issac Watts and the German born George Fredrick Handle brought us one of the most beloved advent hymns which is joyously sung all over the world where Christendom is cherished and exalted.
JCH