Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn

Rejoice, rejoice this happy morn

Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn is a hymn text by Unknown (1640) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Found in ELH 142, lbw 43, lsb 391, lw 520.

The hymn celebrates the theological center of Christian faith—God's incarnation in Christ—emphasizing the joy and hope that the Nativity brings to fallen humanity. It reflects Lutheran emphasis on Christ as the means of salvation and the grounds for Christian rejoicing.

History & Background

This carol of unknown authorship emerged in English hymnody during the 17th century, appearing in early English carol collections and subsequently in Lutheran hymnals. It has been a consistent fixture in Lutheran Christmas hymnody since its inclusion in the Missouri Synod's hymnals.

Hymnal Appearances

Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 142
Lutheran Book of Worship — 43
Lutheran Service Book — 391
Lutheran Worship — 520
The Lutheran Hymnal — 79

Bulletin Note

From 1640, this hymn exemplifies the carol tradition's direct theological proclamation. Its long meter and joyful testimony reflect the evangelical confidence of Reformation-era faith in Christ's redemptive birth.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the pure proclamation of Gospel—Christ's coming as sheer gift rather than achievement—making it a perfect sung response to sermons emphasizing grace over works, incarnation over abstraction, or the renewal of hope in a broken world.

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

Christmas Day (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

Christmas 1 (1×)
Christmas Dawn (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.

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

A one-stanza Danish Christmas hymn by Birgitte Boye, one of the few women hymnwriters in the 18th-century Danish hymnal. It proclaims the Savior's birth, the angels' song of redemption, and calls the soul to praise. (LSB pairs it with an Easter stanza, 'He is arisen! Glorious Word!' — row 1425.)

Central theme: Joy and praise for the Savior's birth announced by angels

Structure

Single stanza in the Wie schön leuchtet form.

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel.

Confessional Connections

Second Article; praise for salvation.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Christmas; often paired with an Easter stanza.

Historical Notes

Boye (1742-1824) contributed to the Danish 'Evangelisk-kristelig Psalmebog' (1778). Døving translated it in 1911.

About the Tune

WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET (Philipp Nicolai, 1599).

Scripture References

Luke 2:10-14 Mic 5:2 Luke 1:46-47 Ps 103:1

Stanza by Stanza

1 Rejoice, rejoice, this happy morn…

Rejoice this happy morning: a Savior is born to us, Christ the Lord of glory; angels from on high proclaim his lowly birth in Bethlehem and sing the story of redemption; my soul, praise God's great favor, bless him always for salvation, and give him praise and adoration.

Luke 2:11 ('unto you is born this day… a Savior, who is Christ the Lord'). 'Lord of Glory' (1 Cor 2:8) — yet his birth is 'lowly' (Luke 2:7). The angels sing 'redemption's story' — Christmas is about redemption (Gal 4:4-5). The response is Marian: 'My soul, extol' (Luke 1:46-47) — praise for 'God's great favor' (grace).

Scripture: Luke 2:10-14, 1 Cor 2:8, Luke 2:7, Gal 4:4-5, Luke 1:46-47
Imagery & language: Happy morn; lowly birth; angels.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Christmas joy.
Connection to previous: Single stanza.

incarnation redemption praise grace

Themes

Joy of Nativity Incarnation Redemption God's grace Praise and worship

Look Further

Search Hymnary.org for "Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn" ↗