Repeat the Sounding Joy

This was my favorite hymn when I was young.  I remember playing it over and over in the den, on my record player.  I liked singing it in church because it was big, and happy sounding...and I knew the words. I fell away for several years, and transferred my favors to another Christmas hymn. 

Today, when I googled the song, I learned that it was not written for Christmas, and that all the original verses are no longer used - we only use the second half now. It's my favorite again this year, probably because we all need some joy as we catch our breath at the end of a trying 2009 and an unknown 2010. So today, I wish you all the gift of joy. May you find it in big things and small, and carry it in your hearts throughout the next year.

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Verse 2

Joy to the Earth! the Saviour reigns;

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

Merry Christmas!

God bless us,

every one.