Thy Strong Word — Countdown to Christmas: LSB 382: We Praise You Jesus at your Birth

The Rev. Dr. Jason Wagner, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in High Ridge, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study the hymn “We Praise You Jesus at your Birth.”

Written by Martin Luther in the early 16th century, “We Praise You Jesus at Your Birth,” is studied in this episode. Discover the story behind this timeless hymn, its translations, and its journey through history. Experience the joy and wonder of Christmas through the moving lyrics that capture the spirit of Christ’s birth.

Celebrate the birth of our Savior with Thy Strong Word’s Countdown to Christmas, a special series where we explore 10 of the most beloved Christmas hymns found in the Lutheran Service Book. Learn the history and meaning of these beautiful carols and how they reflect the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each weekday we dive into every stanza of these classic hymns and discover the rich theology and joy it expresses. Don’t miss this opportunity to prepare your hearts to receive Christ anew and rejoice with Thy Strong Word: Countdown to Christmas.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

Lutheran Service Book 382

Text Information
First Line: We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth
Title: We Praise You, Jesus, at Your Birth
Author (sts. 2-7): Martin Luther, 1483-1546
Translator (sts. 1, 6): Gregory J. Wismar, b. 1946
Translator (sts. 2, 4): F. Samuel Janzow, 1913-2001
Meter: 87 88 4
Language: English
Publication Date: 2006
Scripture: Luke 2:7-14; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 1:1-3
Source: Lutheran Service Book, 2006 (Tr. sts. 3, 5, 7); German, c. 1380 (st. 1)
Copyright: Sts. 1, 3, 5-7 © 2006 Concordia Publishing House; Sts. 2-4 © 1978 Concordial Publishing House

Tune Information
Name: GELOBET SEIST DU
Arranger: Jan O. Bender, 1909-94
Meter: 87 88 4
Incipit: 55565 12172 32165
Key: C Major
Source: Eyn Enchiridion oder Handbüchlein, Erfurt, 1524
Copyright: Setting © 1969 Concordia Publishing House

Rev. Dr. Phil Booe

Native North Carolinian Rev. Dr. Phil Booe serves pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, and host of Thy Strong Word on KFUO Radio. His parishioners probably think he can’t teach Bible study without a mug of coffee in his hand, and he’ll always be happy to eat a plate of sushi. When he’s not shepherding his flock or teaching on the radio, you might find him watching bad movies from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, and especially binging RiffTrax and MST3K episodes. Some day he’d love to travel to the Lutheran homeland in Germany, but for now he spends time in Minnesota with his wife, son, daughter, and cat, and looks forward to Holy Week every year.