Very few people know that the Christmas hymn favorite "Joy to the World" was not written for Christmas at all. Isaac Watts wrote "Joy to the World" in imitation of Psalm 98. The psalm is about the Messiah who comes in glory, righteousness, and victory over evil, to judge the world and comfort the faithful. In other words, Watts meant "Joy to the World" as a spiritual reflection on Christ's soon-to-be, expected, triumphant return to earth. This book explores this theme and other writings of Watts, as a way of preparing our hearts for the wonder and holiness of Christmas morning.
Author
Isaac Watts was an English hymnwriter, theologian and logician. A prolific and popular hymnwriter, he was recognised as the "Father of English Hymnody", credited with some 650 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in use today, and have been translated into many languages. Watts was the author of a text book on logic which was particularly popular; its full title was, Logic, or The Right Use of Reason in the Enquiry After Truth With a Variety of Rules to Guard Against Error in the Affairs of Religion and Human Life, as well as in the Sciences. This was first published in 1724, and its popularity ensured that it went through twenty editions. Isaac Watts' Logic became the standard text on logic at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale; being used at Oxford University for well over 100 years. [wikipedia]
