All Christians May Rejoice To-day

For Christmas

Words: "O Christenleut," Caspar Füger, 1617
Translation: Catherine Winkworth, The Chorale Book For England (1863) [alt.]
Compare: We Christians May Rejoice Today

Music: "O Christenleut," Author Unknown, 1589

Source: J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #63, p. 96

1. All Christians may rejoice to-day,
For Christ is born to comfort and to save us;
    Who thus believes no longer grieves,
For none are lost who grasp the hope He gave us.

2. O wondrous joy, that God most high
Should take our flesh, and thus our race should honour;
    A Virgin mild hath borne this child,
Such grace and glory God hath put upon her.

3. Sin brought us grief, but Christ relief,
When down to earth He came for our salvation;
    Since God with us is dwelling thus,
Who dares to speak the Christian's condemnation?

4. Then hither throng, with happy song
To Him whose birth and death are our assurance;
    Through whom are we at last set free
From sins and burdens that surpassed endurance.

5. Yea, let us praise our God, and raise
Loud hallelujahs to the skies above us;
    The bliss bestowed to-day by God,
To ceaseless thankfulness and joy should move us.

Sheet Music "O Christenleut" from J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #63, p. 96

Note:

A scan of the sheet music from The Chorale Book For England can be found at CCEL: We Christians May Rejoice To-day (opens in a new window at an exterior site). She gives the title as: Wir Christenleut' han jetzund Freud'.

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