We Christians May Rejoice Today
We Christians may rejoice today
We Christians May Rejoice Today is a hymn text by Unknown (1500) in L.M. meter. Translated by Unknown English translator. Found in ELH 122, tlh 107. Sung to MIT FREUDEN ZART.
The hymn emphasizes the evangelical joy of Christ's incarnation as grounds for Christian rejoicing, central to Lutheran Christmas piety. It connects the nativity event to the believer's present comfort and assurance of God's redemptive work.
History & Background
This German carol of unknown authorship dates to the early Reformation period and reflects the joy of Christmas incarnational theology. It was included in early Lutheran hymnals and transmitted through German Protestant tradition.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 122
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 107
Translation
Bulletin Note
Unknown medieval author, circa 1500. 'We Christians May Rejoice Today' captures the evangelical exuberance of Lutheran Christmas piety—pure Gospel proclamation set to the graceful tune Mit Freuden Zart, calling forth joyful response to incarnate grace.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the incarnation from distant history into present comfort, making it an ideal response to preaching that proclaims Christ's coming as the definitive Gospel word that silences all accusation and fills the believer with warranted joy.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Ascription of praise to God's sovereign power and love, followed by personal testimony of healing and sanctification, culminating in lifelong grateful service
Overview
A Christmas hymn by Caspar Füger, a Dresden pastor, with its short internal rhymes. Christians rejoice because Christ was born to comfort and save; whoever believes no longer grieves (st. 1). What joy that God most high takes our flesh, born of a virgin (st. 2)! Sin brought grief, but Christ relief: 'Since God with us is dwelling thus, who dares to speak the Christian's condemnation?' (st. 3). We throng to him whose birth and death are our assurance (st. 4), and praise God with endless thanks (st. 5). J. S. Bach harmonized its chorale melody.
Central theme: Christmas joy rooted in Immanuel: God in our flesh, so that no one can condemn those who believe
Structure
Five stanzas with internal rhyme (CCEL shows mid-line capitals at the rhymes). Rejoice (1) — God in flesh (2) — no condemnation (3) — assurance (4) — praise (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'Sin bought us grief'; 'sins and burdens that surpassed endurance' (3-4). Gospel: 'Christ relief'; 'Who dares to speak the Christian's condemnation?' (3).
Confessional Connections
'Who thus believes no longer grieves, for none are lost who grasp the hope He gave' — faith receives Christ's benefits (AC IV; John 3:16). St. 3's question echoes Rom 8:33-34: 'Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?… Who is to condemn?' — grounded in the incarnation ('God with us'). 'Whose birth and death are our assurance' — Christmas and Good Friday together (AC III). God honoring our race by taking our flesh (FC VIII).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Christmas; Christmas season.
Historical Notes
Füger, a Dresden pastor, wrote it c. 1592 (TLH gives his death as 1592 or 1617, perhaps confusing father and son of the same name). J. S. Bach harmonized the chorale.
About the Tune
TLH: O JESU CHRIST, DEIN KRIPPLEIN (credited to Johann Crüger, 1653). The traditional melody is WIR CHRISTENLEUT'.
Scripture References
Luke 2:10-11, 20 John 3:16 John 1:14 Heb 2:14 Luke 1:35 Matt 1:23 Rom 8:1, 31-34 1 Cor 15:3-4 Heb 6:19 Matt 11:28 Ps 150 Eph 5:20
Stanza by Stanza
We Christians may rejoice today that Christ was born to comfort and save us. Whoever believes this no longer grieves, for no one who grasps the hope he gave us is lost.
Luke 2:20 (TLH's text): the shepherds returned 'glorifying and praising God.' 'Whoever believes in him should not perish' (John 3:16). Faith 'grasps' — receives (Ap IV.48).
- Scripture
- Luke 2:10-11, 20, John 3:16
- Imagery & language
- Rejoicing; comfort; grasping hope.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — salvation for believers.
- Connection to previous
- Rejoice.
What wonderful joy that God most high should take our flesh and so honor our race! A gentle virgin has borne this Child; God has put such grace and glory on her.
'The Word became flesh' (John 1:14); 'he himself likewise partook of the same' (Heb 2:14) — God honors human nature by assuming it. Mary 'favored' by grace (Luke 1:28, 35).
- Scripture
- John 1:14, Heb 2:14, Luke 1:28, 35
- Imagery & language
- God taking our flesh; our race honored.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the incarnation.
- Connection to previous
- God in our flesh.
Sin brought us grief, but Christ brought relief when he came down to earth for our salvation. Since God is living with us like this, who dares to pronounce the Christian condemned?
'God with us' (Matt 1:23). 'If God is for us, who can be against us?… Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died' (Rom 8:31-34). 'No condemnation' (Rom 8:1). The incarnation is already the ground of acquittal.
- Scripture
- Matt 1:23, Rom 8:1, 31-34
- Imagery & language
- Grief and relief; God with us; no condemnation.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — sin's grief; Gospel — no condemnation.
- Connection to previous
- No condemnation.
Then come here in crowds with happy song to him whose birth and death are our assurance, through whom we are finally set free from sins and burdens that were beyond enduring.
Birth and death together (1 Cor 15:3-4) — the manger points to the cross. 'Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden' (Matt 11:28). Assurance as anchor (Heb 6:19).
- Scripture
- 1 Cor 15:3-4, Matt 11:28, Heb 6:19
- Imagery & language
- Throng; birth and death; set free.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — freedom from sin.
- Connection to previous
- Assurance.
Yes, let us praise our God and raise loud alleluias to the skies above us. The bliss God has given today should move us to endless thanks and joy.
'Let everything that has breath praise the LORD' (Ps 150:6). 'Giving thanks always and for everything' (Eph 5:20).
- Scripture
- Ps 150, Eph 5:20
- Imagery & language
- Hallelujahs; thankfulness.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — praise.
- Connection to previous
- Praise.
Themes
Incarnation Joy in Christ Nativity Praise Christian gladness