Tag Archives: Joy to the World

S.A.N.S. Episode 316: Joy to the World

Posted on December 14, 2022 by expressyourself4him

My wedding was the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 1995. While I chose the music to be sung by two of my friends, Leanne suggested that since our wedding day is exactly a month away from Christmas that we exit the congregation to Joy to the World. Rather than greet everyone in the back, once Joy to the World concluded, Leanne and I walked to the front to dismiss each row, catching up with everyone in attendance.

And now I am coming to You; I say these things while I am still in the world, so that My joy may be made full and complete and perfect in them [that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts], John 17:13.

Today’s featured song reminds me of a modern-day version of Acapella. Pentatonix provides their own spin on Joy to the World using a popish / acapella style. As Christmas approaches, may you block out all the commercialism as you’re bombarded by advertisements on what to buy your loved one. Joy can’t be bought. Rather, joy is found in living the abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10:10. May you find joy this Christmas.

by Jay Mankus

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The Source of Affection

Posted on December 24, 2020 by expressyourself4him

Love is absent from the title of traditional Christmas Carols. While Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843. the oldest Christmas Carol song dates back to 336 AD. St. Hilary of Poitiers composed Jesus Illuminates All which was initially the Latin carol “Jesus refulsit omnium.” Although it’s unclear what inspired St. Hilary to write this song, 336 was the first recorded year when the Church first recognized December 25th as Jesus’ birthday.

So I write these things while I am absent from you, that when I come to you, I may not have to deal sharply in my use of the authority which the Lord has given me [to be employed, however] for building [you] up and not for tearing [you] down, 2 Corinthians 13:10.

Wrapping up his final letter to the Church at Corinth, the apostle Paul recognizes why people of faith should celebrate the birth of Christ. According to Paul, Jesus is the source of affection and love. Building upon his words in 1 Corinthians 13, God is love in it’s various forms. While reading Psalm 98, 96:11–12 and Genesis 3:17–18, Isaac Watts wrote the classic hymn Joy to the World. George Frideric Handel put the finishing touches on the modern version of Joy to the World before his death in 1759.

Finally, brethren, farewell (rejoice)! Be strengthened (perfected, completed, made what you ought to be); be encouraged and consoled and comforted; be of the same [agreeable] mind one with another; live in peace, and [then] the God of love [Who is the Source of affection, goodwill, love, and benevolence toward men] and the Author and Promoter of peace will be with you, 2 Corinthians 13:11.

The older I get, the meaning of Christmas to me has evolved. As a child, Christmas was about attending a mass that ended at midnight. When I couldn’t sleep, I took a nap under our tree, eager to open my presents. Yet, now as a parent, I’m more focused on what I give. In college I wrote Christmas letters to encourage and inspire my friends. Now as a father, I feel compelled to give of my time after working 22 of the last 25 days. While my gifts may not always be well received, a relationship with God is the greatest gift of all.

by Jay Mankus

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Mixing Birthdays with Christmas

Posted on December 16, 2020 by expressyourself4him

Depending upon when you were born in a calendar year, your birthday is either overshadowed by Christmas, spread out throughout the year or occurs in the summer when most of your friends are on vacation. I fall into the latter category, often struggling to a find a few friends who are home in August. Yet, most of the women in my family are forced to mix their birthday with Christmas. My mother and wife were born one day a part in the middle of this month while my sister Cindy and Leanne’s mom were born on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, these days are mere appetizers that lead up to the birth of Christ.

[My purpose is] that you may know the full truth and understand with certainty and security against error the accounts (histories) and doctrines of the faith of which you have been informed and in which you have been orally instructed, Luke 1:4.

In the wake of the Coronavirus, a once in a century event, some of you wish that you were born during a different month or period in history. During a late night conversation with a Pharisee named Nicodemus, Jesus refers the spiritual process of being “born again.” At the time of their discussion, this theological term wasn’t known causing Nicodemus to become sarcastic. “Do you really expect our mother’s to open up their legs to be forced back in their womb again?” The wry smile on Nicodemus face vanished quickly. According to John, this religious leader stops talking, intrigued by the thought of being spiritually reborn.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.

As neighbors decorate the interior and exterior of their homes for this celebration, don’t be caught off guard by silly Nick. Rather, prepare your hearts for the true meaning of this holiday season. The passage above highlights what some Christmas Carols declare, “Joy to the World as Immanuel has come to earth to save this fallen world from sin. This gift wasn’t without a sacrifice as God offered up his one and only son to become the perfect Lamb of God. Perhaps, this Christmas as people gather together at a church, in a home or view an online service, the only birth that matters is the decision to become born again, Romans 10:9-11.

by Jay Mankus

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Finding Life This Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Christmas, Santa Claus and presents excite a children with exceeding anticipation for one day each year, December 25th.  Meanwhile, preparations for this same day can be overwhelming for grandparents, family and individuals trying to work as much as possible to pay for all these expenses.  On a day meant for Joy to the World, many struggle to find meaning and purpose for life.

Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead, Proverbs 21:16.

In a mad dash to please selfish and spoiled children, the reason for this season gets lost.  Crowded malls, congested roads and stress can suck the life out of positive people.  Subsequently, its easy to stray off the path of prudence, turning a joyful soul into Ebenezer Scrooge in a matter of weeks.  Unless you can snap out of this, you might end up at the end of the road, reserved for the company of the dead.

Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor, Proverbs 21:21.

According to Solomon, there is a way to find life this Christmas and throughout the year.  Similar to Jesus’ words in the sermon of the Mount, Matthew 6:33-34, this transformation begins with seeking God first and His righteousness.  One of the byproducts of this journey involves love as a formerly cold heart is revived by the Holy Spirit.  When individuals begin to seek the Spirit of Christmas 365 days a year, honor and prosperity follows.  Like Bill Murray in Scrooged, may you find life this Christmas.

by Jay Mankus

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A Wedding Day Prayer

Posted on November 25, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Seventeen years ago today, I vowed to marry Leanne Marie Wagner.  Since Leanne comes from a big family, our wedding was planned around her families every other year Thanksgiving family reunion in Illinois.  Despite both of us serving in youth ministry leading up to our engagement, Pastor Shawk would not agree to marry us unless we partook in 9 months of pre-marriage counseling.  St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Barrington, Illinois didn’t mess around, taking marriage seriously.

Prior to our wedding day, I was only in charge of one thing, the music.  While our DJ from Indiana had most of his equipment stolen a few weeks before the reception, God provided enough music to last the entire reception.  To make his life easier, I created a mix of all the songs for special occasions.  At the wedding, our good friend Matt Shepherdson, worship leader for Axis, a Gen X ministry of Willow Creek Community Church at the time sang one of 2 solos, Perfect Love by David and the Giants.  The other solo was sung by my best friend in youth ministry at that time, Phil McMurry singing All the Darkness by Steve Wiggins, the lead singer for Big Tent Revival.  Since Leanne and I both enjoy Christmas music, we decided to conclude our wedding with Joy to the World.

Before the wedding, God impressed upon me a wedding day prayer that was printed on the inside of our wedding bulletin.  Since I had already seen some divorces from friends from high school, I wanted to make sure that our vows lasted forever.  Below is this prayer.

When the high emotions of our wedding are over and the thrill of the honeymoon is gone, all that remains in the will of two people in the Lord and hard work.  With time, each of our imperfections will rise to the surface, showing themselves daily.  There will be failed expectations, broken promises and disappointment in our hearts.  Even when two people are in love, marriage can fail.  However, there is a perfect love, a love which never fails nor disappoints.  This love is found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

As Leanne and I begin to recognize our own imperfections, we must look to Jesus for help.  We can try to change, yet only Jesus can transform our imperfections.  Therefore, we rely on Christ for our source of strength.  For His LOVE is perfecting our weaknesses so that we may learn how to love one another the way God intended for us in the Bible.  This is perfect love!

by Jay Mankus

p.s. – I want to thank Leanne for enduring with me all these years.  Both of us have experienced hardships over the past few years, hanging on to the Lord through these storms!  As Steven Curtis Chapman sings, I will go there with go!  For always and forever!

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