\u201cThe Hymn of Joy\u201d was a poem written in 1907 by Henry van Dyke. Intended to be musically set to Beethoven\u2019s \u201cOde to Joy,\u201d we know it better as the song, \u201cJoyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mindful of the current season, allow us to share the original poem in its brief entirety. There is one line I wish to emphasize\u2026<\/p>\n
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee<\/i><\/p>\n
God of glory, Lord of love<\/i><\/p>\n
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee<\/i><\/p>\n
Op’ning to the Sun above<\/i><\/p>\n
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness<\/i><\/p>\n
drive the dark of doubt away<\/i><\/p>\n
Giver of immortal gladness<\/i><\/p>\n
fill us with the light of day<\/i><\/p>\n
All Thy works with joy surround Thee<\/i><\/p>\n
Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays<\/i><\/p>\n
Stars and angels sing around Thee<\/i><\/p>\n
center of unbroken praise<\/i><\/p>\n
Field and forest, vale and mountain<\/i><\/p>\n
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea<\/i><\/p>\n
chanting bird and flowing fountain<\/i><\/p>\n
call us to rejoice in Thee<\/i><\/p>\n
Thou art giving and forgiving<\/i><\/p>\n
ever blessing, ever blest<\/i><\/p>\n
well-spring of the joy of living<\/i><\/p>\n
ocean-depth of happy rest<\/i><\/p>\n
Thou the Father, Christ our Brother\u2014<\/i><\/p>\n
all who live in love are Thine<\/i><\/p>\n
Teach us how to love each other<\/i><\/p>\n
lift us to the Joy Divine<\/i><\/p>\n
Mortals join the mighty chorus<\/i><\/p>\n
which the morning stars began<\/i><\/p>\n
Father-love is reigning o’er us<\/i><\/p>\n
brother-love binds man to man.<\/i><\/p>\n
Ever singing, march we onward<\/i><\/p>\n
victors in the midst of strife<\/i><\/p>\n
joyful music lifts us sunward<\/i><\/p>\n
in the triumph song of life<\/i><\/p>\n
Van Dyke himself considered this \u201ca hymn of trust and joy and hope.\u201d Perhaps it\u2019s due to that one line \u2014 a line most challenging in current culture\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTeach us how to love each other.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n Note that there is no self focus. There is no shutting down of another. There is no lack of listening nor insinuation that we are the ones who are always right.<\/p>\n Instead there is a focus on others \u2014 learning to love and respect them\u2026 no matter what. Maybe that\u2019s the secret to the increased joy.<\/p>\n What a fantastic time of year to join in van Dyke\u2019s call\u2026<\/p>\n Learning how to love and value one another, no matter how alike\u2026 no matter how not\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cThe Hymn of Joy\u201d was a poem written in 1907 by Henry van Dyke. Intended to be musically set to Beethoven\u2019s \u201cOde to Joy,\u201d we know it better as the song, \u201cJoyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.\u201d Mindful of the current season, allow us to share the original poem in its brief entirety. There is one … <\/p>\n