Christmas Joy

When I hear or see the word “joy” at Christmas, I’m reminded of the beautiful traditional German carol, HOW GREAT OUR JOY.

While by the sheep we watched at night,

Glad tidings brought an angel bright.

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How great our joy! Great our joy!

Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!

Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!

Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!

There shall be born, so He did say,

In Bethlehem a Child today.

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There shall the Child lie in a stall,

This Child who shall redeem us all.

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This gift of God we’ll cherish well,

That ever joy our hearts shall fill.

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These simple words echo the prophecy from Micah 5:2: Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me One who will be Ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.*

This Christmas, as we celebrate the One who came, may your heart be filled with joy!