(RNS) — Many years ago, I was called to be my ward’s Primary chorister. Soon after, the Primary president took me aside and told me I had just been given the most important job in the entire ...

The final verse, “Though an infant now we view him,” comes from another of Montgomery’s hymn texts ... the signature finale at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s annual Christmas concerts.

Mason routinely gave credit to other composers for his own hymn tunes, and described the music of “Joy to the World” as being “after G. F. Handel.” While there are fleeting similarities to ...