“Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing”
- Joy to the World
“And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
What joy and what gladness the birth of Jesus brought to this world. He came into a world of oppressed and hopeless people. He came to bring them – to bring us – over 2000 years later, this same promise.
In order to experience the full joy of Jesus we must prepare a place for him. We must open our hearts to him. How do we do that? What does it mean to actually ‘prepare Him room’? It means humbling ourselves and letting ourselves let go of the mundane and menial things of this world. It’s giving ourselves totally over to the control of God. It’s preparing our hearts to meet Him each day by spending time in His word and in prayer.
This joy, this unspeakable joy, is expressed throughout the heavens and earth. Open your heart and listen. The angels that sang that night are the same angels that sing over us today.
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” 1 Peter 1:13
PRAYER
Lord, please show me what in my heart or life may be a stumbling block to feeling the joy that Heaven and nature sang about. Help me to prepare my heart. Amen.
Raelyn Pracht 