This is the season of gift giving and gift receiving and it all started with the "unspeakable" Gift given by God! I love the emotion that is eloquent in the posture of this simple teddy. It is the same kind of simple love and adoration that we should have at this time of year and always. A wonder and a feeling of "For Me??". In our heart of hearts we should have the attitude of "God? are you sure? This is for Me? You have given this gift of wondrous love for me?" Never taking lightly the gift and the sacrifice that the Christmas celebrates.
I love all the Christmas hymns, but this one makes my heart soar with gladness and praise. The words and the music of Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee lift my spirits and fill me with gratitude for this unspeakable, indescribable gift. I remember singing it with Christian friends and family, feeling as if I might burst with happiness. Here are the words of the original poem written by Presbyterian minister, Henry Van Dyke, in 1907, parts of which were later put to the grand music of Beethoven. The words themselves are beautiful and a sermon by themselves:
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
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!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward
In the triumph song of life.