Lord, You Were Rich beyond All Splendor
Lord, You were rich beyond all splendor
The hymn articulates the Lutheran understanding of Christ's kenosis—his voluntary self-emptying and assumption of human poverty—as the ultimate expression of divine love and redemptive grace. It emphasizes the paradox of incarnational theology: the infinite God becoming finite, the eternal entering time, and infinite riches becoming absolute poverty for human salvation.
History & Background
This hymn was written by Frank von Christierson in 1960 as an original English text celebrating the incarnation and Christ's voluntary poverty for human salvation. It has been included in Lutheran hymnals since the Lutheran Book of Worship (1978) and remains a significant Christmas-season hymn in contemporary Lutheran worship.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 727
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 694
- Lutheran Service Book — 740
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 84
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Frank von Christierson in 1960, this modern hymn recovers the ancient theme of kenosis—Christ's self-emptying—in language both accessible and theologically profound, anchored to the tune 'Sonne der Gerechtigkeit.'
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Law-Gospel dialectic: our poverty exposed, Christ's boundless love revealed—the cross as God's answer to human need through divine self-surrender.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From Christ's healing advent dispelling sin's darkness, through his eternal radiance as the Father's brightness, to his present illumination of darkened souls, culminating in eschatological hope of final redemption
Themes
Incarnation Christ's humility and condescension Redemptive sacrifice Grace and mercy