Joy Has Dawned (December's Hymn of the Month)

HYMN OF THE MONTH:

JOY HAS DAWNED

by Stuart Townend & Keith Getty

PART SEVEN: MODERN HYMNS

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Living Writers Tell a Living Story

Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, creators of the iconic "In Christ Alone" (released in 2001) collaborated to write the modern Christmas hymn, "Joy Has Dawned."

This song, penned in 2004, was originally intended for an album designed to teach the Apostles' Creed. Over time, "Joy Has Dawned" has evolved into the catalyst for a complete Christmas hymn collection and an annual concert tour.

In their songwriting journey, the dynamic duo Getty and Townend have consistently aimed to narrate the complete Gospel story, a trait they share with numerous timeless Christmas carols.

The Christmas season, in many ways, offers a unique opportunity to vocalize the Gospel's message.

Of this hymn, Stuart Townend wrote:

"Keith and I both share a passion to see churches singing songs full of truth, compositions that not only express our love and devotion to God, but also declare the wonderful truths of the faith—truths that form the foundation of our lives. With that in mind, we realized that there was shortage on new material on a number of key themes—one being the Incarnation. We therefore set about trying to write what is essentially a Christmas carol, telling the story and significance of Christ’s birth, and this is the result.”

Hymn Outline

This Christmas season, let's wonder at:

The HUMILITY of Jesus (Stanza One)

The IRONY of the nativity (Stanza Two)

The fulfilled PROPHECY in Scripture (Stanza three)

The VICTORY Jesus gives us (Stanza Four)

Read & Relate

Joy Has Dawned

by Stuart Townend & Keith Getty

Copyright 2004, Thankyou Music (Adm. by CapitolCMGPublishing.com excl. UK & Europe, adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, [email protected])

STANZA ONE

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 scenes of glory.
But a humble gift of love:
Jesus born of Mary.

Genesis 3:15; Matt. 12:21; Phil. 2:5-7; Luke 1:30-31

STANZA TWO

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.

Luke 2:13-14; Acts 3:15; John 1:1-3; Phil. 2:8

STANZA THREE

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.

Luke 2:16; Matt. 2:11; Mark 15:23; Matt 26:28; John 12:15; Ex. 30:7-10

STANZA FOUR

Son of Adam, Son of heaven,
Given as a ransom,
Reconciling God and man,
Christ our mighty Champion.
What a Saviour, what a Friend,
What a glorious mystery:
Once a babe in Bethlehem,
Now the Lord of history.

Acts 7:56; John 1:14; Heb. 12:2; Col. 2:2; Rev. 17:14