Day 14 – Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
My husband, Reen, and I are blessed to live with a forest behind our home. Our sunroom, surrounded by windows, enables us to watch the wonders of God’s creation every day. Deer, squirrels, turkeys, and cardinals visit us on a daily basis while eagles soar above. I often sit on the couch in the sunroom reading, only to look up to see deer munching on tree limbs or birds picking berries. I share this special moment of joy with God at having the privilege of being so close to His amazing creatures.
When was the last time you remember feeling unbridled joy?
Finding joy in 2020 has been a challenge. And yet Jesus has prayed and is praying for us during these times. He is not unaware. We are told He lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25). He comes before God the Father on our behalf. And Jesus prayed to the Father while on earth that we will have the full measure of His joy within us (see below).
Let’s listen to today’s carol, adoring Him for offering us not only life spent with Him for all eternity, but joy due to our relationship with Him while on this earth. Regardless of our circumstances, He is with us. He loves us. We are never alone. He is our joy, Christmas Day and everyday!
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!
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!
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.
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.
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent…
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world… I pray for them…. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe bythat name you gave me…
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. (Excerpts from John 17)
