Devotional

Advent Day 22: Joy

SUNDAY December 21, 2025

Week 4 Meditation

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail the incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that men no more may die,
born to raise the sons of earth,
born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

—Charles Wesley, 1739
adaptation by George Whitefield (1758)

If you would like to support the work of Gospel in Life, you can make a gift here.

← Return to Advent Devotional Index

This Month's Featured Book

Seven Cultural Myths That Fail Us and the Story That Never Will

In this new book by Tim Keller and his son Michael Keller, you’ll discover what our culture's stories promise and whether they actually deliver. It will help you to see them through the lens of the gospel story—the only story where deep hope, true meaning and lasting joy can be found.