schleswig-holsteinische kirchen agende – A Collection of Prayers

Christmas Acclamation

Praise and adoration
be to our God,
for he is good.
His grace and mercy
fill the heavens and earth.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving,
and joyfully praise
our creator.

As a father,
he loves us,
his children.
Sing his praises
with joyful thanks
in love and devotion!
Let us love him
who has loved us
since the world began.
Who would not
love God from the heart?

We can not give him
adequate praise.
Still, in heaven
he receives with goodwill
our joyful songs of praise
and pours much joy into our souls,
whenever we thank him,
whenever we live in him.

Sing to Jesus Christ
praise, thanks and glory,
for he came from heaven
to destroy sin and death for us
and by his precious, willing sacrifice,
restored innocence and peace.

Already here on earth
he renews joy and life to us
by his grace.
Still greater bliss is prepared there
for those who love him
when one day they will be renewed in his image,
made new and holy,
and awakened from death.

Let us rejoice in our holy God!
Let us rejoice in our eternal God!
How blessed it is to praise him
here, and then in heaven.
He is our holiness!
He is our life!
He always loves us, his children.

Source: Schleswig-Hosteinsche Kirchen-Agende, 1797, Am Feste der Geburt Jesu, p. 62-64, translated for A Collection of Prayers.

festegeburt

Enlightenment and Joy, Wisdom and Comfort, Rest and Peace

The Lord enlighten you
through the teachings of Jesus Christ
and strengthen you as you walk in his light.

The Lord give you joy
as he shows you his Fatherly mercies
new every morning.

The Lord give you wisdom in happiness,
comfort in suffering,
rest in death,
and one day,
the peace of eternal life.

Source: Schleswig-Hosteinsche Kirchen-Agende, 1797, Segenswünsche, p. 146#5, translated for A Collection of Prayers.

Original in German:

Der Herr erleuchte euch alle durch die Lehre Jesu Christi, und gebe euch Kraft, in ihrem Lichte zu wandeln!

Der Herr erfreue euch taglich durch neue Beweise seiner Vatergüte.

Der Herr gebe euch Weisheit in Glucke, Trost im Leiden, Ruhe im Tode und einst den Frieden des ewigen Lebens!

Translation note:

Literally, the first strophe is “The Lord enlighten you through the teachings of Jesus Christ and strengthen you as you walk in their light.” I thought it was less confusing, and more direct, to say “his light.”

The second strophe is translated more freely to state clearly what the original implies, “his mercies are new every morning.”

May the Almighty, All-Wise, All-Good God Bless Us

God, the almighty
guide us in all our doings,
protect us in every danger,
help us in every need!

God, the all-wise
make everything work for our good,
according to his purpose.

God, the all-good
free us from all the afflictions
of Eden’s fall
on that day
when he gives us
the unending bliss
of eternal life.

Source: Schleswig-Hosteinsche Kirchen-Agende, 1797, Segenswünsche, p. 146#3, translated for A Collection of Prayers.

Original in German:

Gott, der Allmächtige, sey unser Beistand in jedem Geschäft, unsre Zuversicht in jeder Gefahr, unsre Hülfe in jeder Noth!
Gott, der Allweise, lasse alle unsere Schicksale uns zum besten dienen!
Gott, der Allgütige, löse einst all’ unser Edenleiden auf in die überschängliche Wonne des ewigen Lebens!

Translation note:

“according to his purpose” was added for clarity, and to make a stronger connection with Romans 8:28.

“from all the afflictions of Eden’s fall…” was translated more freely for the sake of clarity.

Wisdom, Courage, Strength, Peace, Blessing

The Lord bless us with wisdom,
with courage and strength to do his will!

The Lord keep our souls pure,
our consciences at peace,
our hearts content!

The Lord grant us a portion
of his blessing in this life,
and one day,
the higher joys of eternal life!

Source: Schleswig-Hosteinsche Kirchen-Agende, 1797, Segenswünsche, p. 146#2, translated for A Collection of Prayers.

Original in German:

Der Herr segne uns mit Weisheit, mit Muth und Kraft zu guten Thaten!
Der Herr erhalte unfre Seele rein, unser Gewissen ruhig, unser Herz zufrieden!
Der Herr verleih’ uns unser bescheiden Theil vom Lebensglük und einst die höhere Wonne des ewigen Lebens!

The Lord Bless You with His Goodness, Rest, Power, Wisdom, Patience, Hope

May the Lord show you
the greatness of his goodness,
that you overflow with thanks
every day.

May the Lord bless you abundantly
with rest for the heart,
power for virtue,
wisdom for life,
and patience in suffering.

May the Lord bless you
with joyful hope,
and one day
with the inexpressible joys
of eternal life.

Source: Schleswig-Hosteinsche Kirchen-Agende, 1797, Segenswünsche, p. 146#1, translated for A Collection of Prayers.

The original (as seen below) gives the option of saying this blessing with the pronouns we, us and our as indicated.

Der Herr lasse euch (uns) alle täglich erfahren
und dankbar fühlen, wie freundlich er ist!
Der Herr fegne euch (uns) reichlich mit Ruhe des Herzens,
mit Kraft zur Tugend, mit Weisheit des Lebens, und mit Geduld im Leiden!
Der Herr beselige euch (uns) mit froher Hofnung,
und einst mit unausfprechlichen Genuffe des ewigen Lebens!