Good News! Great Joy!
Christmas Poem 2023
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
The story of Christmas is amazing as could be
It’s bigger than toys under a Christmas Tree
It’s better than lights and parties and snow
But all those things can be great if you know
If you know the true story of who was born
That we’ve gathered to celebrate Christmas Eve morn
And tonight we’ll be back to light candles and sing
‘Cause the gift we’ve been given was worth every thing
IT WAS GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
The gift that God gave us was not a big toy
Not money, not food, but it can give you joy
And it’s free for all of those who believe
It’s a gift that all who love Jesus receive
But it all started out really scary
For people like Joseph and Mary
They trusted their God to guide them
To put His great hope inside them
IT WAS GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
Verse 1 mentions Caesar Augustus
Not the king who would one day bring Justice
And he ordered a registration
This was not like a Christmas vacation
Now the world thought that he was the greatest
And no one could challenge his status
So he sent people home to be counted
And they watched as tax dollars amounted
BUT THERE WAS GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
Verse 2 says the governor’s name
But his only real claim to fame
Is this order he gave to them
To get Jesus to Bethlehem
God was using the rulers with power
To do all things at God’s exact hour
And one day these men will kneel down
When Jesus returns with his crown
THERE WAS GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
So they planned an 80-mile walk
And I’m sure they had a great talk
About all that the angels had said
Life would come to a world that was dead
To the City of David they hurried
From Nazareth – that’s quite a journey
But the baby was well on his way
And they needed a place to stay
FOR GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
Feel free to join me if you want:
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
IT WAS GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
So now it was time for the birth
The king being born on the Earth
The firstborn son from Mary’s womb
Was born to go to cross and tomb
And into the tomb he was placed
For a world that from sin was disgraced
But death could not hold him for long
He is Risen! Is now our heart’s song
THERE WOULD BE GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
So she wrapped him up nice and dry
In a room Trip Advisor didn’t rate high
Person two of the great Trinity
Would lay down in great humility
Where animals he once designed
Would go for their food to find
Oh the King in his humble state came
And the world never would be the same
HE WAS THE GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
If you’re able will you now please stand
If you want to, you can raise a hand
Our hearts bow down before him
So Come, and Let us Adore Him!
WE’VE GOT GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those
with whom he is pleased!””
Now the news of the boy was great
But outside it was getting quite late
And the shepherds were watching their sheep
And tonight they would not get much sleep
‘Cause an angel appeared with the news
For the Gentiles and for the Jews
But before the angel could speak
They were scared, you might hear a shriek
IT WAS GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
So the angel said Don’t Be Afraid
The good news of great joy was displayed
The whole world which was dead in their sin
Would now have a grace-based way to win
But maybe today you are scared
Your plans have been torn and tared
But the good news is fear can be halted
If it’s Jesus in your heart exalted
HE WAS THE GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
Verse 10 mentions shepherds at night
And the glory they saw, what a sight!
But the news was for ALL of the nations
It would travel to all our locations
The Messiah would save all believers
By grace through faith, all receivers
He’s the Lord and the Christ and the King
So today we have gathered to sing!
OF THE GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
Now imagine the shepherds first thought
Was this really what they had been taught
That a baby would save them from danger
And be born in a small humble manger?
And the angel said Yes it’s the truth
He descended from David and Ruth
And from Abraham, Adam, and Eve
To defeat the first one to deceive
IT WOULD BE GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
And the news was so good the sky filled
With the glory of God they were thrilled
And the heavenly host was a chorus
Imagine them singing before us!
So the Prince of Peace did appear
All His enemies now would have fear
Because God would be pleased and give peace
To all who would truly believe
IT WAS GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
Feel free to join me if you want:
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born king"
IT WAS GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
Now if your heart wants something MORE
You won’t find it on sale in a store
You were made by a God who designed us
And this story I trust did remind us
That we all were created for glory
And this really is our hearts true story
God loved the world so much he came
Trust in Jesus! You won’t stay the same!
HE BROUGHT GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
So tomorrow is Christmas Day
And for those who God loves today
The gift that we needed the most
Was victorious, of him we boast
So celebrate Christmas with joy
Every man woman girl and boy
It’s no time to be unbiased
Let’s give glory to God in the highest!
IT’S GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
GOOD NEWS!
GREAT JOY!
