Joy in Anticipation

“Sing to the Lord a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.
² The Lord has made his salvation known
    and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
³ He has remembered his love
    and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
    the salvation of our God..” – Psalm 98:1-3

 The Breaking In of Divine Light

The birth of Jesus was not simply the arrival of a child in Bethlehem—it was the breaking in of divine light into a weary world. His coming was a cosmic announcement, echoing through heaven and earth, declaring that God’s love would not remain distant but dwell among us. The angelic chorus and the star over Bethlehem remind us that the entire cosmos participated in this event. Nature itself rejoiced, signaling that Christ’s coming was for the renewal of all things.

Psalm 98 as Prophecy

Many biblical commentators view Psalm 98 as a prophetic psalm pointing to the coming of Jesus, especially His reign as Messiah. While originally celebrating God’s deliverance of Israel, it is widely interpreted as foreshadowing Christ’s kingdom and even His Second Coming. Matthew Henry notes that it is a prophecy of the kingdom of the Messiah, describing His glory and the joy of the redeemed.

Psalm 98 calls all nations and even creation itself to rejoice. Rivers clap their hands, mountains sing together, and peoples of the earth celebrate the coming of the Lord. This sweeping vision finds fulfillment in the New Testament, where Jesus is revealed as the Savior not only of Israel but of the entire human family and the cosmos itself.

Universal Joy

In Christ’s birth, the promise of Psalm 98 expands beyond national boundaries to embrace every tribe, tongue, and people. His incarnation declares that God’s love is not confined to one nation or culture, but is a gift meant for all. The angels’ song in Luke’s Gospel—“peace on earth, goodwill to men”—echoes the psalm’s cosmic chorus, affirming that the joy of salvation is for the whole world.

Paul echoes this in Romans 8, describing creation groaning for redemption. Jesus’ coming is not only the hope of humanity but the renewal of the entire created order. The manger in Bethlehem becomes the epicenter of a cosmic announcement: heaven and earth together rejoice because the Savior has come to restore harmony, justice, and peace.

Heaven’s Promise, Earth’s Praise

Isaiah prophesied the birth of a child who would carry divine authority and bring peace—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Psalm 98 gives us the response: all nations and creation erupt in joy at His coming. In Jesus’ birth, these two streams meet—the prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled, and the cosmic rejoicing of Psalm 98 realized.

The manger becomes the place where heaven’s promise and earth’s praise unite. Shepherds leave their flocks to worship, wise men journey from afar to offer gifts, and even creation itself participates—the star shining above Bethlehem, the night sky filled with angelic song.

In Anticipation Today

Psalm 98’s vision of rivers clapping and mountains singing reflects creation’s anticipation of renewal. In our own lives, joy in anticipation means trusting God’s promises even when we cannot yet see their fulfillment. It is the joy of faith, knowing that God’s timing is perfect and His salvation sure.

The manger in Bethlehem is the ultimate symbol of joy in anticipation. Generations longed for the Messiah, and when He came, heaven’s promise and earth’s praise united. Today, we live in that same anticipation—not only remembering His birth but awaiting His glorious return. Our joy is not diminished by waiting; it is deepened, because we know the One we wait for is faithful.

 

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Pastor Godwin, FBC Danvers