I’m sure you recognize the phrase, “repeat the sounding joy,” from the Christmas hymn Joy to the World. We have all sung it a thousand times. Joy to the World is one of my favorite Christmas songs because of the beautiful harmonies that are easy to pick up quickly.
What does “repeat the sounding joy,” actually mean? What does joy sound like? Why is it worth repeating?
In Advent, we experience the very nature of salvation. While the gift of Jesus cannot be duplicated or repeated, the expression of our thanksgiving may! The response to such a gift is abiding joy. We proclaim joyously as our lives are transformed and we are set free from the tyranny of the devil! Jesus was given for God’s glory and our deliverance!
When you love someone, you don’t just tell them one time and then never again. You tell them over and over and over again. Scripture tells us that angels rejoice (and are still giving praise to God):
Luke 2:13
“And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward man.’”
When we repeat the sounding joy, we are joining with all of heaven and all of creation in declaring the divinity of Christ and celebrating the wonder of salvation!
What does repeat the sounding joy mean to you? What makes you most joyful this holiday season? How do you repeat the sounding joy?