Our Lord Jesus Christ…though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9
Words: Urban Langhans, in Martin Hammer’s Laudes Immanuelis (Leipzig, Germany: 1620) (Lasst uns alle fröhlich sein). Translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth, Chorale Book for England (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts & Green, 1863), number 29.
Music: Lasst uns alle Gesangbuch, ander Teil (Dresden, Germany: 1632) (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good picture of Langhans (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Let us all with gladsome voice
Praise the God of Heaven,
Who, to bid our hearts rejoice,
His own Son hath given.
To this vale of tears He comes,
Here to serve in sadness,
That with Him in Heav’n’s fair home
We may reign in gladness.
We are rich, for He was poor;
Is not this a wonder?
Therefore praise God evermore
Here on earth and yonder.
O Lord Christ, our Savior dear,
Be Thou ever near us.
Grant us now a glad new year.
Amen, Jesus, hear us!