From Luke 2:15-16:  “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’  So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.”

Love breathes at creation

Stirring throughout darkest void

Goodness pouring from light

Father’s plans fully deployed

Love’s promises share hope

Flowing with peace, yet to come

From depths of Father’s Word

Mercy’s steady, beating drum

Love fulfills prophecy

Abounding in Father’s grace

No longer in darkness

Joy framing faith’s new embrace

Love’s assurance descends

Flowing from Father’s goodwill

Bethlehem’s stirring peace

Silent night, shepherds stand still

Love pours into each heart

Enduring Father sows seeds

Messiah fulfills hope

Light releasing joy’s proceeds

Advent Prayer:  Heavenly Father,  as we remember and reflect upon this Advent season, assist us in turning our hearts toward You as we approach the birth of Your blessed Son.  Encourage us to celebrate the gifts received from that very first Christmas:  hope, peace, joy, and love.  Amen.

English pastor and hymn writer, Isaac Watts, wrote the lyrics for “Joy to the World” in 1719.  These verses embrace his interpretation of Psalm 98, which serves as a blessed completion of this Advent series of poems.