I see the first verse as being a hopeful description of His birth and His second coming - dual meaning. And thus we revere it as a Christmas anthem in the same way that we revere the song We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet as a tribute to our living prophet. You may have already noticed that the only reference to a prophet in that hymn is found in the first few words. Yet it still inspires gratitude for a prophet.
Joy to the World!?
in LDS Gospel Discussion
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I see the first verse as being a hopeful description of His birth and His second coming - dual meaning. And thus we revere it as a Christmas anthem in the same way that we revere the song We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet as a tribute to our living prophet. You may have already noticed that the only reference to a prophet in that hymn is found in the first few words. Yet it still inspires gratitude for a prophet.