Joy fills our inmost hearts today

joy fills our inmost hearts today!
the royal child is born:
and angel hosts in glad array
his advent keep this morn.

rejoice, rejoice! th’incarnate word
has come on earth to dwell;
no sweeter sound than this is heard
emmanuel!

low at the cradle throne we bend,
we wonder and adore;
and feel no bliss can ours transcend,
no joy was sweet before.

refrain

for us the world must lose its charms
before the manger shrine,
when, folded in thy mother’s arms,
we see thee, babe divine.

refrain

thou light of uncreated light,
shine on us, holy child;
that we may keep thy birthday bright,
with service undefiled.

refrain