When Isaac Watts was inspired by Psalm 98 to write “Joy to the World,” he had no idea the impact that hymn would make on the generations to come. As one pastor wisely said, “That hymn doesn’t belong just to Christmas; it should be a year-round hymn.” I absolutely agree!

January is the perfect time to sound out its praises. The New Year lies before us — a mystery to us but not to our Father. In the chilling temperatures and possibilities of icy days, we can be confident of the warmth of His presence and trust His guidance as we begin a new year.

February is the perfect fit for that hymn because the “heart” month has earned the focus on love, romance, and heartfelt relationships. We could agree that Valentine’s Day seems to capture the theme of the entire month. And the source of all love is God, and Jesus has demonstrated that immeasurable love to the world. As the hymn states, “The wonders of His love.” 

March comes to us as a lion or a lamb. Joy to the world that the Lion of Judah came, and all of His children can confess that Jesus is the spotless Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.

April showers bring May flowers, as the old saying goes. Our family celebrates multiple birthdays in April, and we celebrate those as showers of His blessings. I have learned to also associate it with severe weather, but I find comfort in that special hymn that reminds me that “He rules the world with truth and grace.” Even the storms are under His control.

May does bring flowers — an abundance of them. The beauty of creation is on full display by our Creator. The earth reminds us that it is prepared “to receive her King.”  The overflowing joy we humans can experience is the joy of our salvation that only comes through Jesus, the King of Kings.

June has earned the honor of being the wedding month. I think “Joy to the World” would fit into any wedding ceremony because of the great joy of the bride and bridegroom. Since marriage is a beautiful picture of Christ, the Bridegroom, and His Bride, the Church, our joy also grows as we anticipate the return of Christ for His Church.

July stands for fireworks, parades and freedom celebrations. How blessed our nation is to enjoy the freedoms our forefathers set forth for their new-birthed nation. There will always be threats to those freedoms but never to the freedom we enjoy as citizens of God’s Kingdom. Joy to the world!

August for heat-lovers is their kind of month. For those who suffer from the extreme heat and humidity, it’s the month to escape to cooler places and climates. But our loving Father has blessed us with the luxury of A/C for our homes and workplaces. He’s also made a way for us to escape the damnation of a fiery hell by preparing a home for His own. What joy to realize!

September arrives with its school bells and school buses. Education is a wonderful gift. Even reading the printed word is a gift we seldom consider. To open a hymnal, read from a screen, or read God’s Word in church blesses all worshipers. Christmas would lose much joy of singing carols without the knowledge we learn in the classroom — add another reason for JOY.

October turns nature into a forest of fall colors. What a palette God uses in His changing seasons. The “hills and plains repeat the sounding joy!” 

November offers us a time to focus on our blessings and to offer our thanksgivings. We are reminded in that year-round hymn to not allow “sins and sorrows to grow.”  We can truly celebrate “the glories of His righteousness.”

Santa continues to vie for the central focus of this month, but no one can ever supersede the greatest Gift ever given that we celebrate in December — God in flesh. And here we are, in the month of celebrating the birth of a Savior. This year-round carol fits perfectly in every moment of December — Joy to the World! The Lord is come!

Camille Anding, The Daily Leader, P. O. Box 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602.