I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10–11
Words: Geistliche Lieder (Magdeburg, Germany: 1540) (Freut euch ihr Christen). Translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth, Chorale Book for England (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts & Green, 1863), number 32.
Music: Valet will ich dir geben Melchior Teschner, 1613 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good picture of Teschner (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Rejoice, rejoice, ye Christians,
With all your heart this morn!
O hear the blessèd tidings,
The Lord, the Christ is born,
Now brought us by the angels
That stand about God’s throne;
O lovely are the voices
That make such tidings known!
O hearken to their singing!
This Child shall be your friend;
The Father so hath willed it,
That thus your woes should end.
The Son is freely given,
That in Him ye may have
The Father’s grace and blessing,
And know He loves to save.
Nor deem the form too lowly
That clothes Him at this hour;
For know ye what it hideth?
’Tis God’s almighty power.
Though now within the manger
So poor and weak He lies,
He is the Lord of all things,
He reigns above the skies.
Sin, death, and hell, and Satan
Have lost the victory;
This Child shall overthrow them,
As ye shall surely see;
Their wrath shall naught avail them;
Fear not, their reign is o’er;
This Child shall overthrow them;
Oh hear and doubt no more.