Christ, the Word of God Incarnate
Christ, the Word of God incarnate
This hymn articulates Lutheran understanding of the incarnation as God's self-revelation and redemptive action, emphasizing both Christ's divine nature (the eternal Word) and His full humanity. It reflects the Lutheran emphasis on the Gospel proclamation of salvation through the God-man Jesus Christ.
History & Background
Written by Jaroslav Vajda in 1980 for the Lutheran Book of Worship supplement material, this hymn directly engages John's prologue on the incarnation. It was subsequently included in LSB (2006) as a contemporary treatment of classical incarnational theology.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 358
- Lutheran Service Book — 540
- Lutheran Worship — 298
Bulletin Note
Composed by Jaroslav Vajda in 1980, this hymn expresses Lutheran Christology: the eternal Word made flesh as God's redemptive act and supreme self-revelation to sinful humanity.
Preaching Connection
This hymn anchors the proclamation of Christ as God's ultimate Word of grace—the incarnate revelation that both judges our need for redemption and fulfills it completely.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's compassionate presence amid human suffering and social chaos, calling the Church to incarnational witness and mercy
Themes
Incarnation Christology God's Word made flesh Revelation Divine-human nature