Prophets Corner
Bill Johnson on Christmas
Bill Johnson, the senior leader of Bethel Church in Redding, California, shares a word regarding a well-known Christmas song, Joy To The World. He shares how the song is one of profound intercession, the meaning of which sometimes gets lost through familiarity, and more.
Excerpt:
One of my favorite songs sung during the Christmas season is “Joy to the World.” It is a song of profound intercession, the meaning of which sometimes gets lost through familiarity. The line, “Let earth receive her King,” is one of the most important prayers ever prayed. It’s a cry: Let the people of this planet receive Jesus as their King.
The Scripture says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12 NKJV). It is a cry for ongoing, continuous revival for the nations as people receive Jesus as their Lord, their Savior, their King.
The song continues with “Let every heart prepare Him room. Let Heaven and nature sing…” When people yield to the Lord Jesus Christ in salvation, they are taking the first step into His eternal purpose, which is found in the wonderful reality of Earth being influenced by Heaven. Jesus taught them the nature of His will when He taught them to pray “…Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
It’s in the Christmas story where God first reveals this part of His plan saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). The glory in His world is to have an effect on the reality of this one. This is where God begins to unfold His plan that Heaven comes to Earth.