Musical Countdown to Christmas: Joy to the World by Isaac Watts

Welcome to my musical countdown to Christmas, Day 5. You may also want to read about the carols and composers from Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4. Don’t forget to leave a comment for an opportunity to win my gift of the day.

Who was Isaac Watts?

Born on July 17, 1674 in Southampton, England
He complained to his father that the songs of the church were hard to sing; his father told him to write something better
Learned Greek, Hebrew, and Latin
1696 became a tutor
1702 became a pastor
Struggled with poor health
Wrote books on geography, astronomy, grammar, and philosophy, but he’s most famous for the more than 700 hymns/poems which he wrote both for adults and children. Most of his poetry and hymns were based on Scripture passages.
Considered the “Father of English hymnody”
Awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree by the University of Edinburg

The story behind Joy to the World

Written in 1719 under a tree on the Abney Estate near London, England
Based on Psalm 98
Original theme of the song was the second coming of Jesus
Watt’s poem was set to music over 100 years later by Lowell Mason

Historical context (1719)

Daniel Defoe published Robinson Crusoe
First recorded sighting of the northern lights (Aurora Borealis) in New England

Looking for more details?

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/637744/Isaac-Watts
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/w/a/t/watts_i.htm
http://agodlyheritage.org/story-behind-the-song-joy-to-the-world
https://bethanytoronto.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/story-behind-the-song-joy-to-the-world/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1719

My gift for today

Leave a comment below to be entered in a draw for the devotional book, Rise. This book has 32 weeks of devotionals for students in their first year of college, written by ninety-two different authors.