Let Our Gladness Banish Sadness
Let our gladness banish sadness
This hymn expresses the Lutheran joy of the incarnation, celebrating how Christ's birth transforms human sorrow into gladness through divine redemption. It reflects Grundtvig's emphasis on victorious faith and the resurrection's power to overcome death and sadness.
History & Background
This hymn was written by Danish hymnodist Nikolai Grundtvig in 1844, originally titled 'Vores Glæde Skal Udslette Sorgen.' It was translated into English by Charles Porterfield Krauth in 1876 and has since become a beloved Christmas hymn in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 282
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 66
- Lutheran Service Book — 371
- Lutheran Worship — 39
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 82
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Nikolai Grundtvig in 1844, this Danish hymn embodies his theology of victorious faith: the incarnation's joy defeats human sorrow through Christ's resurrection, making gladness the Christian's birthright.
Preaching Connection
This hymn amplifies the Gospel's power to overcome the despair that sin and death inflict, inviting the congregation to experience resurrection-joy not as escapism but as the promised triumph already won in Christ.
Themes
Joy in Christ's birth Gospel proclamation Gladness overcomes sorrow Incarnation Redemption