Rise to Greet the Sun

“Rise to Greet the Sun” is a Christian hymn written by Chao Tzu-ch'en, also known as T. C. Chao, a Chinese theologian, pastor, and hymn writer who played an important role in the development of modern Chinese Christian thought and worship. His writings and hymns sought to express Christian faith in ways that connected with Chinese culture and spiritual reflection.

The hymn reflects the practice of beginning the day with prayer and devotion to God. This theme echoes Psalm 5:3, where the psalmist declares that in the morning he directs his prayer to the Lord and watches in expectation. The hymn encourages believers to greet the new day with gratitude and worship.

Another theme in the hymn is the recognition of each day as a gift from God. Psalm 118:24 proclaims that the day the Lord has made should be received with rejoicing and gladness. By calling believers to rise and greet the sun, the hymn invites worshipers to acknowledge the Creator and give thanks for the opportunities of a new day.

The message also reflects Lamentations 3:22–23, which reminds believers that the Lord’s mercies are new every morning and that His faithfulness is great. The hymn echoes this sense of daily renewal and hope that comes from trusting in God’s enduring love.

In addition, the hymn relates to the example of Jesus described in Mark 1:35, where He rose early in the morning to pray in a solitary place. This example shows the importance of beginning the day with communion with God.

“Rise to Greet the Sun” encourages believers to approach each new day with gratitude, prayer, and dedication to God. Through its message, the hymn reminds worshipers that every morning is an opportunity to renew their faith and commit their lives again to the service of the Lord.

COPYRIGHT 1965 by Bliss Wiant. All rights reserved.