“Indeed we have great reason to be joyful.”

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sings — Isaac Watts (1674-1748) 

Merry Christmas! 

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us open our hearts for the joy that characterizes the season. Indeed we have great reason to be joyful. 

Joy to the world: The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is a sign of God’s love given freely in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation – an expression that God is with us. This is a great reason for being joyful. Let us rejoice, let us dance as we receive the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 

Joy to the world: In spite of everything we go through. Joyful worship in many communities in Africa and some other parts of the world is an act of defiance against the forces of evil, suffering and injustice. It is as if to say we know for sure that suffering and injustice do not have the last word. God, and only God, has the last word and with God on our side “We shall overcome!” We rejoice and dance because the King of Kings has come to be with us. 

Joy to the World: This is not only limited to humanity. Isaac Watts, the hymn writer notes this as he proclaims “And heaven and nature sings.” Christ’s coming and God’s action of renewal in us, transforms us to be better stewards of God’s creation so that nature can also sing and dance because of the joy that our Lord brings.  

Joy to you, to your family, to your church, to your communities, the Lord is come. Let us celebrate this season joyfully — for our Lord Jesus Christ is with us.  

Our president, the Rev. Dr. Jerry Pillay, my wife Akpene and my colleagues in Geneva join me in wishing you a joyful Christmas and a very happy and fulfilling 2012.  

Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi
General Secretary,World Communion of Reformed Churches