Advent is a time for singing and also for observing silence. We celebrate a new reality and make room in our hearts and lives for its implications.

The wonderful lyrics from the iconic hymn of Isaac Watts, written more than 300 years ago, come to us with resounding voices proclaiming the coming of a babe who is, in fact, the King of kings. The cosmos, having been darkened with sin and evil, now at last opens its doors for the awaited King. The Light of the world has dawned.

The coming of Jesus is both a kingly breakthrough and a humble stepping into the lives of people and cosmos. He is the King but does not force His way like we see our worldly rulers do. The lyrics implore us to receive Him as the King He is. Jesus was mockingly acknowledged by the Romans as king of the Jews, but He was not merely the king of Jews. He is King over all, Jews and non-Jews. There are people who do not acknowledge Him as king, but those who do accept Him as their Lord and Saviour enjoy fellowship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit and, at the same time, are endowed with the great responsibility of sharing the good news and demonstrating kingdom values in terms of truth, grace, righteousness, love and admiration for His creation.

When the heavenly choir sang a song (whose grandeur a believer will only know when he joins the angelic choir in heaven!) to some unknown shepherds and their sheep, it changed their lives for sure. Their trust was so real that it did not take long for this group of people to allow what was told to them into their hearts. They did exactly what they were told, proceeding to Bethlehem to look for the baby Jesus.

The manger provided a cosy holder for the newborn King. There could be no greater paradox than this, that the baby King was placed in a manger amid a crowded, smelly scene. Nature’s cohabitants—animals—were among the first to witness the arrival of the King of the cosmos, who would have authority over heaven and earth. Here was the greatest mystery of incarnation being unfolded in a most humble place with the presence of cattle and a visit by the simple and despised shepherds. In that quiet place—except for the cries of the baby, whispers of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds’ interruption and occasional animal sounds—Mary pondered what in the world this baby was going to do when He grew older and what it all meant. She, too, had to make room for this new reality.

The challenge for us today is how to do God’s work, how to let the reality of His kingship shape our lives. We see much use of money, power and skills in Christian ministry. All these things are not bad in themselves, but how they change our motives and attitude does matter. They can’t be lords of our hearts and kings of our lives. The joy of the good news that the King has come leads to the type of worship offered by the shepherds: simple acts of obedience and awe, an inspiration for millions of poor and despised ones of today who are welcome to see and worship Jesus. We can testify to what we have experienced as we receive the King in our hearts and glorify God with our lips and our lives in all stations of life.

Worship songs come and go, but there is something in “Joy to the World” that makes it endure as a heartbeat for every Advent season. It is its simple juxtaposition of celebrating good news and thoughtful reflection on its implications. May we celebrate the cosmic Advent with fervour and shouts but also with moments for humble contemplation.

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For further reading:

Edward R. Brown, When Heaven & Nature Sing: Exploring God’s Goals for His People and His World (South Hadley, Massachusetts: Doorlight Publication, 2012).