The Hymns and Carols of Christmas

We Christians May Rejoice Today

For Christmas

Words: "Wir Christenleut' hab'n jetzund Freud," Caspar Fueger, ca. 1592
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
Compare: All Christians May Rejoice To-day

Music: "O Jesu Christ, dein Kripplein," Johann Crueger, 1653

Source: William Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, eds., The Chorale Book For England. Congregational Edition. (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1863, Supp. 1865), Translator: Catherine Winkworth, #34.

See: The Christmas Poetry of Catherine Winkworth

1.     We Christians may rejoice to-day,
When Christ was 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.    Yes, 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 from William Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, eds., The Chorale Book For England. Congregational Edition. (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1863, Supp. 1865), Translator: Catherine Winkworth, #34.

Sheet Music to "Original Tune" from William Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, eds., The Chorale Book For England. (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1863), Translator: Catherine Winkworth, #34.

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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