Come Rejoicing, Praises Voicing
Come rejoicing, praises voicing
The hymn expresses core Lutheran Christology—the joy of God's incarnation in Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of messianic promise. It emphasizes the accessibility of salvation through the Nativity, presenting Christ's birth as the central redemptive act.
History & Background
The hymn originates from Johann Balthasar König's German text, published in 18th-century Lutheran sources and set to his tune. The English translation is a composite rendering that became standard in American Lutheran hymnals through multiple versions in TLH, LBW, and LSB.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 66
- Lutheran Service Book — 371
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 82
Translation
composite translation (multiple translators)
Bulletin Note
Composed by Johann Balthasar König in 1738, this German hymn exemplifies Lutheran Christology: the Incarnation as fulfillment of messianic longing and the gateway to salvation for all who believe.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes Lutheran Christmas proclamation: the Law shows our need (humanity's darkness), and the Gospel explodes in the Nativity as God's joyful answer—Christ born to bring us peace and salvation.
Themes
nativity joy Christ's incarnation incarnational theology salvation announcement shepherd witness