Above:  Icon of the Apocalypse of Saint John

Image in the Public Domain

Original German Text by Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608)

English Translation by Francis Crawford Burkitt (1864-1935)

Hymn Source = The English Hymnal (1906), The Church of England

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Wake, O wake!  with tidings thrilling

The watchman all the air are filling,

Arise, Jerusalem, arise!

Midnight strikes!  no more delaying,

“The hour has come!” we hear them saying.

Where are ye all, ye virgins wise?

The Bridegroom comes in sight,

Raise high your torches bright!  Alleluya!

The wedding song

Swells loud and strong:

Go forth and join the festal throng.

+++++

Sion hears the watchmen shouting

Her heart leaps up with joy undoubting,

She stands and waits with eager eyes;

see her Friend from heaven descending,

Adorned with truth and grace unending!

Her light burns clear, her star doth rise.

Now come, thou precious Crown,

Lord Jesu, God’s own Son!  Hosanna!

Let us prepare

To follow there,

Where in thy supper we may share.

+++++

Every soul in thee rejoices;

From men and from angelic voices

Be glory given to thee alone!

Now the gates of pearl receive us,

Thy presence never more shall leave us,

We stand with Angels round thy throne.

Earth cannot give below

The bliss thou dost bestow.  Alleluia!

Grant us to raise

To length of days,

The triumph-chorus of thy praise.

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Above:  Adoration of the Shepherds, by Jacapo da Ponte

Image in the Public Domain

Original Text by Jiri Tranovsky (1592-1637)

English Translation by J. Vojtko, of whom I know nothing

Hymn Source = American Lutheran Hymnal (1930), The American Lutheran Church (1930-1960) and its immediate predecessors

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Christ the Lord to us is born,

Hallelujah!

On this joyous Christmas morn,

Hallelujah!

Of a Virgin lowly,

He, the King most holy,

To us this day is born,

To us this day is born.

+++++

Prophesied in days of old,

Hallelujah!

God had has sent Him as foretold,

Hallelujah!

Of a Virgin lowly,

He, the King most holy,

To us this day is born,

To us this day is born.

+++++

Realms of heaven He foresook,

Hallelujah!

Our poor human form He took,

Of a Virgin lowly,

He, the King most holy,

To us this day is born,

To us this day is born.

+++++

Prostrate lies the evil one,

Hallelujah!

God has saved us through His Son,

Hallelujah!

Of a Virgin lowly,

He, the King most holy,

To us this day is born,

To us this day is born.

+++++

O Thou Child of God most fair,

Be thou with us,

Keep us from the devil’s snare,

Have mercy on us.

By Thy birth so lowly,

Son of God, most holy,

Be gracious unto us,

Be gracious unto us.

+++++

Grant us all a blessed end, dearest Jesus,

From all evils us defend, gracious Jesus,

By Thy birth so lowly,

Son of God, most holy,

Our souls from death redeem,

Our souls from death redeem.

Above:  The Adoration of the Shepherds, by Giorgione

Image in the Public Domain

Original Text by Jiri Tranovsky (1592-1637)

Composite Translation for The Lutheran Hymnal (1941), The Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America

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Come rejoicing,

Praises voicing,

Christmas Day is breaking;

Now th’Eternal,

Lord supernal,

Human form is taking.

On the hay–lo, behold

Virgin’s Son, as foretold–

Lies the precious Infant in the wintry cold,

Lies the precious Infant in the wintry cold.

+++++

Unabated

For Him waited

Many generations;

Him now proudly

Angels loudly

Praise the Hope of nations.

Let us, then, gladly sing,

Let our songs gaily ring,

As we to this holy Child our praises bring,

As we to this holy Child our praises bring.

+++++

Tender Flower,

Mighty Tower,

Jesus Christ, our Savior;

Heav’nly Treasure,

Without measure

Thee we love forever.

Lord and King without end,

Our poor hearts now befriend,

All Thy gifts of grace and goodness to us send,

All Thy gifts of grace and goodness to us send.

Above:  Diocesan Confirmation, the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, December 14, 2014

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

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VERSION #1

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum) (1923), Moravian Church in America

Original German Text (1653) by Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676)

English Translation (1851) by Arthur Tozer Russell (1806-1874)

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1.  How shall I meet my Saviour?

How shall I welcome Thee?

What manner of behavior

Is now required of me?

I wait for my salvation;

Grant me Thy Spirit’s light;

Thus will my preparation

Be pleasing in Thy sight.

2.  While with her sweetest flowers

Thy Zion strews Thy way,

I’ll raise with all my powers

To Thee a grateful lay;

To Thee, the King of glory,

I’ll tune a song divine,

And make Thy love’s bright story

In graceful members shine.

3.  Love caused Thine incarnation;

Love brought Thee down to me;

Thy thirst for my salvation

Procured my liberty;

O love beyond all telling,

That led Thee to embrace,

In love all excelling,

Our lost and fallen race!

4.  Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted,

Who sit in deepest gloom,

Who mourn o’er joys departed,

And tremble at your doom;

He Who alone can cheer you

Is standing at the door;

He brings His pity near you

And bids you weep no more.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

VERSION #2

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (1969), Moravian Church in America

Original German Text (1653) by Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676)

English Translation (1851) by Arthur Tozer Russell (1806-1874)

Altered English Translation (1963) by Edward Timothy Mickey, Jr. (1908-1986)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1.  How shall I meet my Saviour?

How shall I truly welcome Thee?

What manner of behavior

Is by love required of me?

I wait for Thy salvation;

Grant me, O Lord, Thy Spirit’s light;

And may my preparation

Be well accepted in Thy sight.

2.  While with her sweetest flowers

Thy waiting Zion strews Thy way,

I’ll raise with all my powers,

Saviour, to Thee a grateful lay;

To Thee, the King of glory,

My heart will tune a song divine

And make Thy love’s bright story

Through me in living witness shine.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Above:  A Mosaic at a Former Church, Now a Mosque, Between 1888 and 1910

Image Source = Library of Congress

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-ppmsca-03684

Hymn Source = W. G. Polack, The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal, Second Edition (1942)

Original German Words (1646) by Christian Keimann (1607-1662)

English Translation (1863) by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1.  Oh, rejoice, ye Christians, loudly,

For our joy hath now begun;

Wondrous things our God hath done.

Tell abroad His goodness proudly

Who our race hath honored thus

That He deigns to dwell with us.

Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness,

Christ hath done away with sadness!

Hence, all sorrow and repining,

For the Sun of Grace is shining!

2.  See. my soul, thy Savior chooses

Weakness here and poverty;

In such love He comes to thee

Nor the hardest couch refuses;

All He suffers for thy good,

To redeem thee by His blood.

Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness,

Christ hath done away with sadness!

Hence, all sorrow and repining,

For the Sun of Grace is shining!

3.  Lord, how shall I thank Thee rightly?

I acknowledge that by Thee

Every blessing flows for me.

Let me not forget it lightly,

But to Thee through all things cleave;

So shall heart and mind receive.

Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness,

Christ hath done away with sadness!

Hence, all sorrow and repining,

For the Sun of Grace is shining!

4.  Jesus, guard and guide Thy members,

Fill Thy brethren with Thy grace,

Hear their prayers in every place.

Quicken now life’s faintest embers;

Grant all Christians, far and near,

Holy peace, a glad New Year!

Joy, O joy, beyond all gladness,

Christ hath done away with sadness!

Hence, all sorrow and repining,

For the Sun of Grace is shining!

Above:  Diocesan Confirmation, the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, Georgia, December 8, 2013

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (1969)

Original Words (1657) by Johann Scheffler (1624-1677)

English Translation (1885) by Bennet Harvey, Jr. (1829-1894)

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1.  Morning Star, O cheering sight!

Ere Thou cam’st how dark earth’s night!

Jesus mine,

In me shine;

In me shine,

Jesus mine;

Fill my heart with light divine.

2.  Morning Star, Thy glory bright!

Far excels the sun’s clear light:

Jesus be,

Constantly,

Constantly,

Jesus be

More than thousand suns to me.

3.  Thy glad beams, Thou Morning Star,

Cheer the nations near and far;

Thee we own,

Lord alone,

Lord alone,

Thee we own,

Man’s great Saviour, God’s dear Son.

4.  Morning Star, my soul’s true Light,

Tarry not, dispel my night;

Jesus mine,

In me shine;

In me shine,

Jesus mine;

Fill my heart with light divine.

Above:  St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia, December 16, 2012

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = American Lutheran Hymnal (1930), American Lutheran Church (1930-1960) and its predecessors

Original Words (1671) by Johann(es) Olearius (1611-1684)

English Translation (1880) by Emmauel Cronenwett (1841-1931)

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1.  The new Church Year again is come

And wakes the joy of Christendom;

Thy King, O Zion, comes to thee,

Rejoice, rejoice eternally!

Hallelujah!

2.  Now in our midst anew are heard

The lessons of God’s holy Word,

That lead the way to life and heav’n;

Lord, praise to Thee for this be giv’n!

Hallelujah!

3.  Thy truth repeated o’er and o’er,

Our faith will strengthen more and more;

Let it abide in us, that we

May render endless praise to Thee.

Hallelujah!

Above:  The Hymn Tune from The Church Hymnary (1927)

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

Hymn Source = The Church Hymnary (1927), Presbyterian

Original German Words by Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676)

English Translation by Catherine Winkworth (1829-1878)

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1.  All my heart this night rejoices,

As I hear, far and near,

Sweetest angel voices;

“Christ is born!” their choirs are singing,

Till the air, everywhere,

Now with joy is ringing.

2.  Hark! a voice from yonder manger,

Soft and sweet, doth entreat:

“Flee from woe and danger;

Brethren, come: from all doth grieve you

You are freed; all you need

I will surely give you.

3.  Come, then, let us hasten yonder;

Here let all, great and small,

Kneel in awe and wonder.

Love Him who with love is yearning;

Hail the Star that, from far,

Bright with hope is burning.

4.  Thee, O Lord, with heed I’ll cherish,

Live to Thee, and with Thee

Dying, shall not perish,

But shall dwell with Thee for ever

Far on high, in the joy,

That can alter never.

Above:  The Hymn Title

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), U.S. Lutheran

Original Words (1651) by Johann Rist (1607-1667)

English Translation by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)

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1.  Rise, children of the kingdom!

The King is drawing nigh:

Arise, and hail with gladness

The Ruler from on high.

Ye Christians, hasten forth!

Your praise and homage bring Him,

And glad Hosannas sing Him;

Naught else your love is worth.

2.  Arise, ye drooping mourners!

The King is very near;

Away with grief and sorrow.

For lo! your help is here.

Behold, in many a place–

O blessed consolation!–

We find Him, our salvation,

In His pure meas of grace.

3.  Arise, ye much afflicted!

The King is not afar;

Rejoice, ye long dejected!

Behold the Morning Star.

The Lord will give you joy;

Though troubles now distress you,

With comfort He will bless you,

E’en death He will destroy.

4.  Arise, ye poor and needy!

The King provides for you;

He comes with succor speedy,

With mercy ever new.

Receive your gracious King,

The giver of all blessing.

Hail Him, His name confessing,

And glad Hosannas sing.

5.  O rich the gifts Thou bring’st us,

Thyself made poor and weak;

O love beyond expression,

That thus can sinners seek!

For this, O Lord, will we

Our joyous tribute bring Thee,

And glad Hosannas sing Thee,

And ever grateful be.

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I found this variation, also credited to Catherine Winkworth as translator, in The Hymnal (1941), of the Evangelical and Reformed Church:

1.  Arise, the kingdom is at hand,

The King is drawing nigh;

Arise with joy, thou faithful band,

to meet the Lord most high!

Look up, ye souls weighed down with care,

The Sovereign is not far;

Look up, faint hearts, from your despair,

Behold the Morning Star!

2.  Look up, ye drooping hearts today,

The King is very near;

O cast your griefs and fears away,

For, lo, your help is here!

Hope on, ye broken hearts, at last

The King comes in His might;

He loved us in the ages past,

When we lay wrapped in night.

3.  O rich the gifts Thou bringest us,

Thyself made poor and weak;

O love beyond compare that thus

Can foes and sinners seek!

For this we raise a gladsome voice

On high to Thee alone,

And evermore with thanks rejoice

Before Thy glorious throne.

Above:  The Hymn Title

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

Hymn Source = The Lutheran Hymnary (1935), U.S. Lutheran

Original Words (1653) by Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676)

English Translation (1851) by Arthur Tozer Russell (1806-1874)

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1.  O how shall I receive Thee,

How meet Thee on Thy way;

Blest hope of every nation,

My soul’s delight and stay?

O Jesus, Jesus, give me,

By Thine illuming light,

To know whate’er is pleasing

And welcome in Thy sight.

2.  Thy Zion palms is strewing

With branches fresh and fair;

And every soul awaking,

Her anthem shall prepare;

Perpetual thanks and praises

Forth from our hearts shall spring;

And to Thy name the service

Of all our powers we bring.

3.  O ye who sorrow, sinking

Beneath your grief and pain,

Rejoice in His appearing,

Who shall your souls sustain:

He comes, He comes with gladness!

How great is His good-will!

He comes, all grief and anguish

Shall at His word be still.

4.  Ye who with guilty terror

Are trembling, fear no more;

With love and grace the Savior

Shall you to hope restore:

He comes, who contrite sinners

Will with the children place,

The children of His Father,

The heirs of life and grace.

5.  He comes, the Lord, to judgment;

Woe, woe to them who hate!

To those who love and seek Him

He opes the heavenly gate.

Come quickly, gracious Saviour,

And gather us to Thee,

That in the light eternal

Our joyous home may be.