Behind every classic hymn lies a story of its writing. “Joy to the World” is no exception. Written by Isaac Watts in 1719, it’s known as one of the most celebrated and beloved Christmas carols of all time. Yet, did you know it was never written as a hymn for the Christmas holiday? Here’s the back-story . . . Growing up in England, Isaac Watts (1674-1748), from an early age held a natural propensity for rhyming and poetry. During the late 1600s, most worship music in Europe centered on singing the Old Testament Psalms. One day after church, young Isaac…
“O Holy Night” is one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all time. Its fascinating story began in France, yet eventually spread around the world. In 1847, Placide Cappeau, a commissioner of wines in a small French village, and a known poet, was asked by his parish priest to write a poem for their Christmas mass. When he finished “Cantique de Noel,” Cappeau turned to his friend Adolphe Charles Adams to compose music for it. The song was sung at Christmas Eve mass. Initially, “O Holy Night” was widely loved throughout France and made its way into many Catholic…
Normal days are no longer normal. The world is caught up in a storm, the winds of change fiercely howling; while we’re swirling, swirling, unsure of when we might land. Bravely venturing out, we find empty shelves in familiar stores, businesses and restaurants closed, church services cancelled. The economy is in a tailspin, with nothing guaranteed but an uncertain future. Meanwhile, people remain sheltered in their homes, riding out the storm while gripping tightly onto all they thought they knew. Jesus warns us such trouble is inevitable: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have…
At the college I attended, in addition to completing required courses in your major—mine being English—students also submitted a portfolio of their best work, which after the approval of an academic Board of professors qualified them for graduation. Tucked inside my portfolio, I still have an orange 3 x 5 card on which one of my professors wrote: A beautiful body of work—I’m proud of you and feel lucky to be one of your readers. . . . I hope you continue writing and try to start publishing. You have talent, and heart, and wonderful wit; and equally important, you…
With more national shooting tragedies making recent headlines, and discussions of gun control taking center stage yet again, we realize afresh the brokenness of the world around us. If we take the time to look deeply into our own hearts and lives, we recognize that in different ways we are all broken people, desperately in need of rescue and wholeness. As Christians, we have a message of hope to share—Jesus Christ has come to redeem us from this dark and broken world! He is very much alive today, working to heal our lives, while we look ahead with anticipation to…
