“Joy Has Dawned”

Earlier this year, I was listening to this song and it hit me: This is a Christmas song if I’ve ever heard a Christmas song. Mary, angels in the sky, stable, shepherds, gold incense and myrrh, Bethlehem… it’s got it all. I was able to sing this song for the Camp Arnold Christmas concert and also for offertory at the corps, but I figured I wasn’t done sharing it until I made it possible for all of my friends to hear it.

Joy has dawned upon the world, promised from creation
God’s salvation now unfurled, hope for every nation
Not with fanfares from above, not with scene of glory
But a humble gift of love, Jesus born of Mary.

Sounds of wonder fill the sky with the songs of angels
as the mighty Prince of Life shelters in a stable.
Hands that set each star in place, shaped the earth in darkness
cling now to a mother’s breast, vulnerable and helpless.

Shepherds bow before the Lamb, gazing at the glory
gifts of men from distant lands prophesy the story.
Gold, a King is born today. Incense, God is with us.
Myrrh, his death will make a way and by his blood he’ll win us.

Son of Adam, Son of Heaven given as a ransom
reconciling God and man, Christ the mighty champion
What a savior, what a friend! What a glorious mystery;
once a babe in Bethlehem, now the Lord of history.