December 15th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
Author: Henry Van Dyke (1907)


1 Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before You,
Op'ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

2 All Your works with joy surround You,
Earth and heav'n reflect Your rays,
Stars and angels sing around You,
Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Praising You eternally!

3 Always giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Loving Father, Christ our Brother,
Let Your light upon us shine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

4 Mortals, join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
God's own love is reigning o’er us,
Joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.

Hymn Text by Bill Lynch

Rejoice in the Lord God always,
Rejoice in God all people.
Let's be gentle in all our ways,
Peaceful, loving and humble.
For the Lord is always with us,
in our past and in the now.
We today will speak the witness.
To the Savior give our vow.

Prayer
Lord, as we wait for your coming, we know of your presence in the here and now. For you have come in the past through the creation all things, you have come to this earth in flesh and lived to be our Savior. And, yes, we look for your coming again to fulfill your promises. We today witness to the love you have taught us for you and for one another. In this love we rejoice and respond. Come, Lord Jesus, come... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen