Rejoice! - December 2009

While many hymnwriters were revered and respected in their lifetime, not every hymnwriter was praised for their work. For example, one Christmas hymn came to us through two exiled priests shunned by the Christian community of their day. Even though the church leaders back then refused to recognize this particular hymn, churches today love it.
In 1295, Heinrich Suso was born into German nobility and was raised in a luxurious, extravagant home. Although used to being spoiled, he chose to become a Dominican monk and live a life of service. However, Suso’s ideas often conflicted with those of the established church of the day. In 1329, Suso wrote The Little Book of Wisdom, where he discussed explaining the gospel to the poor German countrymen. This was progressive thinking in his day, and it angered many in the church. Some even accused Suso of heresy! Undaunted, Suso published The Little Book of Eternal Wisdom just one year later. Written in simple terms for the common people, The Little Book of Eternal Wisdom delighted its intended audience but enraged the educated church members. In 1329, the pope - the adored leader of the church Suso loved - condemned him. Soon after, the German king exiled Suso. Rejected, he traveled to Switzerland, where he preached - of all things - the happiness to be found in Christianity. Would you be happy if you were exiled and condemned by those of the church you loved and served? Suso’s preaching drew curious skeptics. Is it possible to be slandered and yet also blessed? One night Suso had a dream that he was in heaven, where the angels were singing and dancing. When he awoke, Suso remembered the dream so vividly that he was able to write down the words of the song sung by the angels. The song was Good Christian Men, Rejoice. When Suso’s native Germany received the song, the common people welcomed it from the man who had cared enough to write for them before. The church leaders, however, were another story. Heinrich Suso died in Switzerland, still disliked by the church he longed to serve.
Roughly five hundred years later, James Mason Neale, a priest of the Church of England, seemed to be following in Suso’s footsteps. He, too, thought that everyone should know of the great love of God and hear the good news of the gospel. These were radical views compared to the church leaders of his day. Angered by his non-conformism, church leaders exiled Neale to a pastorate in a foreign land. No one seemed to agree with Neale; on one occasion he was even stoned and beaten by a mob for his beliefs. In yet another radical move, Neale started a women’s order to do social work among orphans, the poor, and others. Most leaders did not appreciate his radical, unconventional methods. Despite the many people he helped, Neale found others angry enough to threaten him. When Neale found Suso’s Good Christian Men Rejoice, he loved the exuberant view of the joy of salvation. Fascinated by its joyous appeal, Neale translated the song into English.
Good Christian Men, Rejoice was brought to us by two men who had no worldly reason to rejoice. They were ridiculed by those whom they respected and longed to please. Sent away from home, they were far from everything they had known. Yet, despite their earthly troubles and trials, Suso and Neale strove to glorify God and spread the gospel. Adding to the men’s disappointments, the church leaders of their times only criticized their goals and scoffed at their methods. Yet both men saw a reason for joy, which we can find in the words of the song itself: “Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save!”