Joyful Is the Dark

1 Joyful is the dark, holy, hidden God,
rolling cloud of night beyond all naming:
Majesty in darkness, Energy of love,
Word-in-flesh, the mystery proclaiming.

2 Joyful is the dark, Spirit of the deep,
winging wildly o'er the world's creation,
silken sheen of midnight, plumage black and bright,
swooping with the beauty of a raven.

3 Joyful is the dark, shadowed stable floor;
angels flicker, God on earth confessing,
as with exultation, Mary, giving birth,
hails the infant cry of need and blessing.

4 Joyful is the dark coolness of the tomb,
waiting for the wonder of the morning;
never was that midnight touched by dread and gloom:
darkness was the cradle of the dawning.

5 Joyful is the dark, depth of love divine,
roaring, looming thundercloud of glory;
holy, haunting beauty, living, loving God.
Hallelujah! Sing and tell the story!
Joyful is the dark,
joyful is the dark,
joyful is the dark.

Source: Voices United: The Hymn and Worship Book of The United Church of Canada #284