Scripture Verse

Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we Wave seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him. Matthew 2:2

Introduction

portrait
Scott Werdebaugh (1951–)

Words: M. D. Ster­ling, in Hym­nal for Pri­ma­ry Class­es (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Am­eri­can Sun­day School Un­ion, 1896), num­ber 146.

Music: Joy­ful Bells Scott Wer­de­baugh, 2017 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Ster­ling’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

JOYFUL BELLS
Music © 2017 Scott Werdebaugh

This mu­sic may be free­ly re­pro­duced or pub­lished for Chris­tian wor­ship or de­vo­tions, pro­vid­ed it is not al­tered, & this no­tice is on each co­py. All oth­er rights re­served.

Lyrics

O joy­ful bells of Christ­mas­tide,
The dear old sto­ry tell,
How long ago a bright new star
In Heav’n was seen, and from afar
The wise men brought to Him they sought
The Child Em­ma­nu­el.
O joy­ful bells of Christ­mas­tide,
The dear old sto­ry tell.

O joy­ful bells of Christ­mas­tide,
Repeat the won­drous tale.
How long ago to shep­herds came
An an­gel choir, and while aflame
With Heav’n’s own light the skies are bright,
The Christ Child’s com­ing hail.
O joy­ful bells of Christ­mas­tide,
Repeat the won­drous tale.

O joy­ful bells of Christ­mas­tide,
Ring out, ring out again,
How long ago a Sav­ior’s birth,
Good will and peace be­gan on earth;
Good will and peace no more to cease,
From Heav’n to sin­ful men.
O joyf­ul bells of Christ­mas­tide,
Ring out, ring out again.

illustration