Hymn Reflection: “Dear Christians One and All Rejoice”
“Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice,” originally “Nun freut euch lieben Christengemein,” is a hymn penned by Martin Luther in 1523 and first published the following year. It was originally included as the opening hymn of Luther’s first hymnal Etlich christlich lider Lobgesang un[d] Psalm and details God’s redemptive work through Christ’s sacrifice. It retains its original tune “Nun Freut Euch”, which was based on a then-familiar pre-reformation tune “Freut euch, ihr Frauen und ihr Mann”. Because of the visibly narrative structure of the text, some have contested that a more accurate classification for “Dear Christians” is a ballad rather than hymn.[1] Nevertheless, its placement in Etlich christlich lider Lobgesang un[d] Psalm and the early development of Luther as a hymn-writer gives it a special place in the canon of reformation hymnody.
Being one of, if not the, earliest of Luther’s congregational hymns, it should be unsurprising that “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice” is devised from orthodox Lutheran convictions surrounding congregational singing and Christ’s redeeming action. Luther did not hide his beliefs that congregational singing should be an integral part of the church service, and this conviction is evident in this early hymn. The opening stanza instructs Christians to rejoice with a “united heart and voice” and “holy rapture singing”. The following nine stanzas detail the narrative of salvation and are explicitly Christ-focused. Considering the lack of opportunities for congregational involvement during this period in the Catholic church, Luther’s new reformed texts and melodies must have stood in stark contrast to the typical methods of worship most churchgoers were accustomed to at the time. However, it seems Luther took this proverbial desert of theological and doxological consciousness as an opportunity to teach congregations theology through musical texts. As Lamport, Forrest, and Whaley observe in volume 1 of their anthology, Hymns, and Hymnody: Historical and Theological Introductions: From Catholic Europe to Protestant Europe, “the opportunity to turn passive hearers into active singing theologians was not lost on the theology professor and priest-preacher from Wittenberg.”[2] It is of no surprise then that “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice” would carry some of the main themes Luther had accentuated up to this point.
Apart from conveying a passionate incitement to sing, “Dear Christians” also walks through the whole story of salvation and Christ’s redemptive work on the cross with distinctive imagery and unmistakable resolutions for the congregation. The first stanza implores all Christians to rejoice with singing and to proclaim what God has done. This echoes Psalm 34, where David summons people to “magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” It also hints at the crucicentric nature of the text that follows. Verses 2 and 3 detail how we were “bound in Satan’s chains”, describing life as a “living hell” prior to salvation. However, in the following stanza, God observes our wretched state and recalls how He, in His wisdom, had planned our deliverance “before the world began.” The final line of verse 4 points us again to Christ and leads us into verses 5 and 6, where our Savior chooses to show compassion by being born of a virgin and taking the form of a servant. Scriptural allusions abound in the seventh stanza as Jesus is named our Rock (Psalm 18:2, 2 Samuel 22:2, Psalm 71:3, Psalm 62:7–8) and instructs believers to abide in Him (John 15:4–11). Verse 8 communicates Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, while verse 9 describes the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian walk. The final section is an appeal to continue seeking God’s kingdom and not give in to false teachings or fall away.
“Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice” is a universal hymn, conveying the full story of salvation and Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. For congregations today, it still holds value as it communicates our depravity considering Christ’s redemption. While in its original form, “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice” spans ten stanzas, modern utilization may require the selection of just a few of these. I would choose stanzas 1, 3, 4, and 6 to facilitate effective corporate in my ministry context. The coupling of these verses is enough to give a complete picture of salvation while retaining the message of the original hymn.
[1] “Hymnology,” accessed November 12, 2021, http://hymnology.hymnsam.co.uk/n/nun-freut-euch-lieben-christengemein.
[2] Mark A. Lamport, Benjamin K. Forrest, and Vernon M. Whaley, eds., Hymns and Hymnody: Historical and Theological Introductions (Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books, 2019), 23.
Bibliography
“Hymnology.” Accessed November 12, 2021. http://hymnology.hymnsam.co.uk/n/nun-freut-euch-lieben-christengemein.
Lamport, Mark A., Benjamin K. Forrest, and Vernon M. Whaley, eds. Hymns and Hymnody: Historical and Theological Introductions. Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books, 2019.
