Rejoice, All ye Believers - Hymn with Lyrics

1.Rejoice, all ye believers!
And let your lights appear;
The evening is advancing,
And darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising,
And soon He will draw nigh;
Up! pray, and watch, and wrestle!
At midnight comes the cry.

2. See that your lamps are burning;
Replenish them with oil;
And wait for your salvation,
The end of earthly toil.
The watchers on the mountain
Proclaim the Bridegroom near,
Go meet Him as He cometh,
With Alleluias clear.

3. Ye saints, who here in patience
Your cross and suff'rings bore,
Shall live and reign forever,
When sorrow is no more:
Around the throne of glory
The Lamb ye shall behold,
In triumph cast before Him
Your diadems of gold.

4. Our hope and expectation,

O Jesus, now appear;
Arise, Thou Sun so longed for,
O'er this benighted sphere.
With hearts and hands uplifted,
We plead, O Lord, to see
The day of earth's redemption
That brings us unto Thee.

Scripture; Luke 2:10-11; Matthew 2:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Matthew 24:30

The hymn "Rejoice, All Ye Believers" was written by Laurentius Laurenti (1660–1722), a Swedish hymn writer and Lutheran pastor, in the early 18th century. The hymn expresses the joy and anticipation of Christ’s return and the celebration of His birth, reflecting themes of faith, hope, and gratitude.

The Story Behind the Hymn:

Rejoice, All Ye Believers is known as a Christmas hymn, as it calls believers to celebrate Christ's birth and anticipate His future return in glory. The hymn highlights the joy and faith that Christians experience during the Advent and Christmas seasons, as they remember the birth of Jesus and look forward to His second coming.

The hymn was originally written in Swedish by Laurentius Laurenti, and it was later translated into English by Richard Massie in 1854. The original Swedish title was "Var glad, alla Guds folk", which means "Be glad, all God’s people." Laurenti was a well-known Swedish pastor and hymn writer in the Lutheran tradition, and his hymns often focused on themes of salvation, joy, and the Christian hope in Christ.

The Hymn’s Message:

The lyrics of Rejoice, All Ye Believers invite Christians to rejoice in the Lord’s birth and to look forward to His eventual return. The song celebrates Christ as both Savior and King, and calls on all believers to be filled with joy, awaiting His coming again. The hymn is a reminder that Christians are not only to celebrate the historical event of Christ’s birth but also to anticipate His future return in glory.

It reflects the dual focus of the Christian faith: Christ's first coming as a humble baby and His second coming as the triumphant King who will reign forever. The joyful tone of the hymn invites Christians to express gratitude for both the past and the future promises of God.