American Lutheran Hymnal ‎#357

357. Behold, The Joyful Day Is Nigh

1 Behold, the joyful day is nigh,
And angels’ voices from on high
Proclaim the news in early morn
That the Good Shepherd now is born.

2 In quiet splendor forth He comes,
The scattered sheep and tender lambs
To gather, and their fold prepare
With all a Shepherd’s tender care.

3 The gentle Shepherd we behold
Who, not with silver or with gold,
But by His suffering and His death,
Will save us from eternal wrath.

4 His Church, though small its seed may be,
Shall grow into a mighty tree,
With fruitful branches spreading o’er
The earth till time shall be no more.

5 Arise and shine, thy Light is come,
O humankind, O Christendom;
Thy glory and thy peace is here:
The Savior of the world draws near.

6 All praise and glory be to Thee
For wisdom, power and majesty;
And for Thy grace and mercy, Lord,
Forever be Thy name adored.

Text Information

• First Line: Behold, the joyful day is nigh
• Title: Behold, The Joyful Day Is Nigh
• Translator: E. A. Edlen
• Author: Johan Olaf Wallin (1814)
• Meter: L. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1930
• Topic: The Church Year: Christmas

Tune Information

• Name: ERFURT
• Meter: L. M.
• Key: C Major
• Source: From M. Luther's Geistliche Lieder, Leipzig, 1539; German chorale: Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her