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Now Greet the Swiftly Changing Year

Now greet the swiftly changing year

Now Greet the Swiftly Changing Year is a hymn text by Friedrich Rückert (1840) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Charles P. Krauth. Found in elw 892, lbw 181, lsb 896, luyh 96. Sung to ST. GEORGE.

The hymn reflects Lutheran confidence in divine providence and the rhythms of creation as manifestations of God's sustaining power, connecting temporal change with eternal purposes. It embodies the Reformed understanding that Christians greet each new year with gratitude for God's continuous blessings while acknowledging human dependence on divine mercy.

History & Background

Originally written in German by Rückert as 'Nun laßt uns gehn und treten,' this text was translated into English by Charles P. Krauth in 1873 and has become a standard New Year hymn in Lutheran hymnals. The hymn was included in various Lutheran hymnals beginning in the late 19th century.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 892
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 181
  • Lutheran Service Book — 896
  • Lift Up Your Hearts — 96
  • Lutheran Worship — 183
  • Voices Together — 259

Translation

Charles P. Krauth

Bulletin Note

Friedrich Rückert (1788–1866), a German Romantic poet, crafted this New Year hymn in 1840. Its steady long-meter melody and confident theology have made it essential to Lutheran worship, particularly at Reformation and the turning of seasons.

Preaching Connection

This hymn transforms the Law's exposure of human frailty and sin into an occasion for the Gospel's proclamation of God's eternal faithfulness—each new year becomes a tangible sign of justification by grace alone.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From God's creative inscription of divine worth in creation, through the Church's faithful stewardship of Scripture, to eschatological fulfillment when believers transcend letter for direct vision of God's glory

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

LSB 896 (Hymn of the Day for the Circumcision and Name of Jesus, Jan 1). A Slovak New Year hymn, 'Rok nový zase k nám přišel': the original is in Tobiáš Závorka's Kancionál (1602), and a revised text in Juraj Tranovský's Cithara Sanctorum (1636). English by Jaroslav J. Vajda (1919–2008), 1968, first in the LCMS Worship Supplement (1969) and revised several times since. The LSB study pictures a 1920s Slovak-American Vajda household singing it on St Sylvester's Eve, and notes that Vajda translated this family favourite because so few New Year hymns were available in English; he went on to write or translate more than 225 hymns. Tune ROK NOVÝ (also called SIXTH NIGHT), an anonymous Slovak melody from the 1602 Kancionál.

Sources: hymnary.org; LCMS Worship, The Word in Song: Hymn of the Day Studies (Shawn L. Kumm).

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Circumcision and Name of Jesus

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Circumcision and Name of Jesus (2×)
  • New Year's Eve (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Circumcision and Name of Jesus (6×)
  • New Year's Eve (3×)
  • Christmas 2 (2×)
  • Christmas 1 (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Themes

God's providence New beginnings Gratitude for God's blessings Covenant faithfulness

Look Further