By Norma Dittman
Fulda Free Press staff writer
Joy to the World is one of the best loved Christmas carols sung very often throughout the holidays and is played through the airways spreading joy.
But where did the joyfol lyrics and uplifting melody originate from? It is actually the combined work of three men: Isaac Watts, George Frederick Handel, and Lowell Mason.
During 1719, Isaac Watts was sitting under a tree at Abony Estate near London. Already a well-known scholar and author, his purpose that day was to compose poetry based on Psalm 98. While a teen, he had complained that hymns sung in church were so hard to sing. His father responded, “Well, you write some that are better.” Isaac accepted that challenge and wrote many songs. In fact, in the two years following his father’s challenge, young Isaac wrote one new hymn each week…and people loved them!
In 1741, George Frederick Handel, a famous composer, decided to compose a truly great work. Talking in prayer to God for many days, his “great work” became clear in his mind. We know it as Handel’s Messiah. Handel composed the beloved classic during 23 days of intense labor.
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