Praise We the Lord this Day

Praise We the Lord This Day is a richly theological Advent and Nativity hymn that celebrates the fulfillment of God’s ancient promises in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Though the author remains unknown, the hymn reflects a deep familiarity with biblical prophecy, the Gospel narratives, and the Church’s historic confession concerning the virgin birth. Its tone is reverent, joyful, and doctrinally careful, making it especially fitting for worship during the seasons of Advent and Christmas.

The opening stanza establishes the central theme by looking back to the long expectation of God’s people. The day “so long foretold” recalls centuries of prophetic hope, particularly the promises given through Isaiah. These promises were not vague wishes, but clear assurances that sustained faithful believers as they waited for God’s saving work to appear in history.

The second stanza draws directly from the prophecy of the virgin who would bear the promised seed. This anchors the hymn firmly in Scripture and highlights the supernatural origin of Christ’s coming. Salvation is presented as God’s sovereign work, not the result of human effort or understanding.

In the third and fourth stanzas, the focus turns to Mary’s response. Rather than encouraging speculation about the mystery, the hymn calls the worshiper to reverent adoration. Mary is portrayed as an example of humble submission, one who bowed before God’s word and trusted His gracious purpose. The language honors her role while keeping Christ at the center of praise.

The fifth stanza acknowledges Mary’s blessedness within the Church, not as an object of worship, but as the chosen servant through whom the incarnate Savior entered the world. The incarnation stands at the heart of the hymn, affirming that God truly took on human flesh for the redemption of humanity.

The final stanza rises to full Trinitarian praise. Christ, the Virgin’s Son, is adored together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, three in one, both now and forever. The hymn concludes by directing all glory to the Triune God, celebrating the incarnation as a central truth of the Christian faith and the foundation of joyful worship.