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Lyricist Isaac Watts, who often wrote paraphrases of the Psalms for his hymns, was inspired by his study of Psalm 98, especially verse 4 which reads: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.”

First published in 1719, “Joy to the World” celebrates its 300th anniversary this year and Watts penned the words based on the Psalm.

Make a joyful noise to the Beloved all the earth;

break forth into grateful song and sing praises!

Yes, sing songs of praise extolling Love’s way;

lift up your hearts with gratitude and joy!

In honor of Watt’s work, which was put to music by composer Lowell Mason, First United Methodist Church in Kenosha will be hosting an Advent worship series on the song, “Joy to the World,” beginning tomorrow and running through Christmas Day.

Rev. Susan Patterson-Sumwalt, pastor of First UMC, the composer’s interpretation of the Psalm invites all to sing a “new song,” and is a powerful performance of all creation being renewed and freed.

“Rather than ‘joy’ being yet another word for ‘happiness, we will look at how the depths of joy can be found especially in the midst of suffering, the work of justice and the presence of compassion,” she said. “It’s all part of the coming of Jesus to this world and a message the world still so desperately needs.”

To accompany the series, Patterson-Sumwalt and Associate Pastor Justin Elliot Lowe plans to utilize “The Book of Joy,” by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama. The Nobel Peace Prize laureates have survived more than 50 years of exile and the disheartening violence of oppression. Despite their hardships, or perhaps because of them, they are considered by many to be two of the most joyful individuals in the world.

In April 2015, Archbishop Tutu traveled to the Dalai Lama’s home in Dharamsala, India, to celebrate His Holiness’s 80th birthday and to create what they hoped would be a gift for others. They looked back on their long lives to answer a single burning question: How do we find joy in the face of life’s inevitable suffering?

“This book is the story of the extraordinary conversations about joy between these two men,” said Patterson-Sumwalt. “They are certainly ones who have experienced intense pain and conflict and yet they find and live deep joy. There are ‘joy practices’ listed in the book and some that we will adapt and pass on through our messages.”

Choosing “Joy to the World” as a theme is dear to Patterson-Sumwalt’s heart as she is unable to recall a Christmas Eve worship service without it being the closing hymn.

“This would include churches I served in Wisconsin, Kansas and Colorado. I am sure there would be great concern and feedback if this song was not sung on Christmas Eve and through the Christmas season,” she said. “It seemed very natural to use this as our theme based on the significant anniversary as we look for a fresh way every year to tell and retell the Christmas story.”

For the first Sunday in Advent, the theme is “Prepare Him Room: Hopeful Joy.” The season of Advent surrounds preparation and anticipationm explained Patterson-Sumwalt.

“In the conversation between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama that culminated in the book, one of the pillars of joy they discovered was having perspective,” she said. “Opening ourselves to a different perspective can bring a sense of hope no matter what our situation. If we are unsure, in despair or afraid, we can see and experience hope in our situations. When we have hope, no matter how full, we can allow joy to enter our lives which shifts our perspectives.

“The scripture reading for that day will talk about salvation being near when we prepare and make room for new insight or new light, new hope to enter our lives. In these ways, our circumstances and needs are like those who waited long ago for the Savior to be born.”

Second Sunday

The theme for Dec. 8 is “Repeat the Sounding Joy: Loving Joy,” surrounding Isaiah 11: 1-10 in the Bible, The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.

“The second stanza of ‘Joy to the Word,’ says, ‘repeats the sounding joy.’ The vision of this phrase urges us to do the same in our lives with the good news of love,” said Patterson-Sumwalt. “The prophet Isaiah offers this vision of radical love—of the lamb and wolf living together and being led by a child. We lift our voices to joyfully and confidently proclaim this chorus of well-being for the world.”

Each week through the Sunday following Christmas focuses on a different joyful theme, such as the unabashed joy that Mary, the mother of Jesus experiences as she rejoices in the knowledge that she is carrying the Savior of the World.

“She rejoices in the scriptures during her pregnancy, a state that would have put her in a position of dishonor in the community,” said Patterson-Sumwalt. “Instead she sings out since she knows that this turn of events will usher in the ‘Prince of Peace.’ There is something about lifting our voices together that gives us strength, hope and joy that becomes a sign for others.”

Other weekly themes include, “Make the Nations Prove: Peaceful Joy,” “The Lord is Come: Incarnate Joy,” and “Wonders of His Love: Compassionate Joy.”

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, there will be two services: a 4 p.m. Family Service where a Christmas musical will tell the story of Jesus’ birth. Those in attendance will sing “Joy to the World,” and light candles.

The children will receive a “Joy” Christmas ornament to take home with them.

There will also be a 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service that includes preaching, communion and candlelight.

“We have a 10:45 p.m. Traditional Lessons and Carols Service with he Chancel Choir, Bell Choir, special music, scriptures, candle lighting and the ringing in of Christmas,” said Patterson-Sumwalt, adding, “We, of course, will sing ‘Joy to the World.’”

The series concludes Dec. 29 with “Wonders of His Love: Compassionate Joy.”

The Hebrew root for “joy” is “Ranan” and it is used 54 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, explained Patterson-Sumwalt.

“Ranan means, ‘to shout, to cry out and to overcome.’ How will we use our exuberance, our joy for the righting of wrongs for the sake of the wonders of God’s love to come upon the earth,” she said. “I hope and pray that people will take time to take in the Christmas message. It’s easy to be ‘out of sorts’ during this season. In the midst of the stress, pausing and grounding ourselves reminds us of not only the purpose of the season, but gives us our grounding.

“Taking time to renew our souls in this way is the best thing that one can do.”