Joy is Jesus wrapped in swaddling bands,
Joy is Jesus in Mary’s loving hands.
Joy is Jesus making sorrow sing,
Mending deepest heartaches – what a gift to bring!
For from the highest heavens, knowing well His plan,
God laid Him in our hostile arms, the Precious Son of Man.
Knowing all before Him – the crib, the cross, the cost –
He came to die at Calvary and seek and save the lost.
That’s you and me and everyone who’s living on this earth,
That’s men and women, black and white, who need and want new birth,
That’s those of us with broken hearts, and those who celebrate,
It’s those of us who love and laugh, and those of us who hate.
If empty was the manger, and empty was the cross,
If Jesus’ tomb was occupied, then all of us are lost.
But here lies heaven’s treasure, God’s precious, dearest prize,
In Him will all our future hopes and dreams be realized.
So may His joy now fill you, and the peace of God be known
Till we celebrate our Christ-masses around our Savior’s throne.
Joy Is Jesus by Jill Briscoe © 1995
More Christmas poems from Jill:
God of Perfect Timing
Kneeling with Kings
Divinity Wrapped in a Blanket