December 15 

Good Christian Men, Rejoice! 

TEXT: Heinrich Seuse

b. 1295, Germany

d. 1366, Germany

English paraphrase by John Mason Neale, 1853

The origin of this fourteenth-century carol is credited to a German mystic and Dominican monk named Heinrich Seuse. A legend claims that Seuse heard angels sing these words and actually joined them in a dance of worship. The famous modern English composer, John Rutter, created a delightful short opera-like presentation of that legend in a composition called “Brother Heinrich’s Christmas.” In this fairy tale, the monk’s pet donkey helped him remember the angels’ melody for a new song at the monks’ special Christmas Eve service. If indeed, it was first performed for monks, the first line and title directed to men is logical. Even though some modern versions change it to “Christians all, rejoice,” we also understand the word “men” to include all humanity.

It was John Mason Neale who made the carol known to the English-speaking world through the English paraphrase we sing today. Neale was an Anglican pastor with great skills of translating. He gave us “Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” and for a children’s hymnal, he created the unusual carol, “Good King Wenceslas.”

TUNE: Traditional German Melody, 14th c.

How can a tune last over 600 years and continue to be a favorite of carols we sing at Christmas? When the tune is eminently singable and has an inherent feeling of joy and dance. Even though IN DULCI JUBILO is centered around only five notes, it is so beautiful that many great composers used it in their extended compositions, including Dietrich Buxtehude, Michael Praetorius, J. S. Bach, Franz Liszt, and Gustav Holst. Yet we do not know who wrote it. Ironically, the transcription by Thomas Helmore included a mistake. But when Neale created the English version, he followed the notational error by including the repeated words, “News, news,” “Joy, joy,” and “Peace, Peace.” Some editions leave this measure out, but we believe it makes the tune unique and memorable and that these are fitting one-word exclamations of exultation.

As you sing this hymn … even if sung without accompaniment, you can feel it dance. It is the very musical language of the words rejoice or joy! The joy is found in every part of our being—heart, soul, and voice. The expression of “endless bliss” might sound excessive if we didn’t recall that the salvation takes us to the “everlasting hall”—to heaven. This joy is not just about the birth of a baby but the result!

In a sermon, J. Ligon Duncan offered this interesting take on the animals: “I think the first stanza is designed to be an irony.… Yes, heaven and earth ought to be surrounding him and bowing down, but that wasn’t happening at the birth. There may have been some oxen and donkeys bowing down, but none of the great people of the earth. It’s another one of those ironies of the Messiah’s condition.”³²

The angels told the shepherds that they had “tidings of great joy!” The wise men were “overjoyed” or “shouted joyfully.” There is no sadness like death. But you “need not fear the grave.” As you meditate on and sing this beautiful carol, let it soak into your heart and soul with the lasting joy of the knowledge of your salvation that comes through Jesus. He “calls you one, and calls you all.”