"Joy to the World," ELW 267
1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her king;
let ev'ry heart prepare him room
and heav'n and nature sing,
and heav'n and nature sing,
and heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing.
2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. No more let sin and sorrow grow
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
4. 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.
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"Why do the nations so furiously rage together?" This question posed in Psalm 2 and echoed in Handel's "Messiah" is as much a lament in our world today as it was in ancient Israel. In a fractured and fraught political landscape, I can hardly even imagine what it means for anyone, including Jesus himself, to rule the world "with truth and grace." And yet, that is the promise of Christ, and this beloved hymn will not let us lose that hope. Rather than showcasing humanity's greed, violence and exploitation, the nations of the world will bear witness to the "glories of his righteousness" and "wonders of his love." The world stage will be transformed from a showcase of conflict to a sanctuary for praise and worship. Whatever this morning's newspaper brings, we hold on to the hope of transformation on its way to us in a manger in Bethlehem.
God of hope, turn the hearts of the world's leaders toward peace. Show us how to work for the glory of your kingdom, and give us a relentless hope in the promises of Christ. Amen.
Cameron B. R. Howard
Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
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The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 United States
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