our musical advent calendar, day 23

Inspired by Pinterest, Anna wanted to do an advent calendar. And inspired by Advent Conspiracy, she wanted to make it about presence, not presents. Ian had a brilliant idea to use music. We each picked out some of our favorite Christmas songs and will be counting down with festive tunes.

day 23. "All Creation Sing (Joy to the World)" - Fee

One or twice a month, I lead music at [REUNION], our church in Back Bay. Our band is full of stellar musicians from Berklee School of Music (a.k.a. that one school that’s produced 205 Grammy’s), as we’re basically located at their back door. It’s a tremendously humbling and exciting place to be plugged in to (for much much more than just these reasons), and our repertoire of tunes is large and contemporary.

This song is a contemporary one that I first heard at [REUNION]. As an updated version of “Joy to the World,” it includes a sweet chorus that functions as more of a rock anthem. Singing this song with an incredible band and a worshipful community makes a venue ring with so much Christmas spirit that it’s impossible to contain. Elevated voices and smiling faces serve as expressions of grace, peace and true joy. All of these elements are why this song means so much to me. Every time I hear it, I’m reminded that this Christmas thing means the most when it’s shared with a community. Plain and simple.

—Ian

All of heaven and all creation sing 

All of heaven and all creation sing 

All of heaven and all creation sing the wonders of His love 

All of heaven and all creation sing the wonders of His love 

Joy to the world! the Lord is come; let earth receive Her King. 

Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room, 

and heaven and nature sing, 

and heaven and nature sing, 

and heaven, and heaven and nature sing 

All of heaven and all creation sing the wonders of His love 

All of heaven and all creation sing the wonders of His love 

He rules the world with truth and grace, 

and makes the nations prove 

the glories of His righteousness, 

and wonders of His love, 

and wonders of His love, 

and wonders, wonders of His love 

All of heaven and all creation sing the wonders of His love 

All of heaven and all creation sing the wonders of His love 

The wonders of His Love 

Joy to the world! the Lord is come; let earth receive Her King. 

Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room, 

and heaven and nature sing, 

and heaven and nature sing, 

and heaven, and heaven and nature sing 

All of heaven and all creation sing the wonders of His love 

All of heaven and all creation sing the wonders of His love 

All of heaven and all creation sing the wonders of His love 

All of heaven and all creation sing the wonders of His love