Now Are the Days Fulfilled
Now are the days fulfilled, O Son of God
Now Are the Days Fulfilled is a hymn text by Martin Luther (1524) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Composite English translation. Found in ELH 164, elw 278, lbw 298, lsb 348. Sung to GOTT DER VATER WOHN UNS BEI.
This hymn exemplifies Lutheran Christology by celebrating Christ's assumption of human nature for human salvation, emphasizing the Gospel's centrality in Christian faith. It reflects the Reformation recovery of justification by faith through Christ's redemptive incarnation and atoning work.
History & Background
Martin Luther composed this hymn in 1524 during the early Reformation as a joyful proclamation of Christ's incarnation and redemptive work. It was first published in the Wittenberg Gesangbuch and became one of Luther's most beloved Christmas hymns, widely sung throughout Lutheran tradition.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 164
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 278
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 298
- Lutheran Service Book — 348
- Lutheran Worship — 24
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 99
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Luther, 1524. A Reformation treasure celebrating Christ's assumption of human nature for our salvation, embodying the Lutheran conviction that the incarnation itself is the Gospel's heart.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the proclamation of Law—our helplessness before sin—into the gladness of the Gospel: God's redemptive incarnation fulfills every hope and breaks every chain.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From eschatological expectation (fulfilled time, promised advent) through exultant response to divine love, to Christological petition, culminating in Trinitarian doxology
Overview
An anonymous German Christmas hymn of 1746, translated by the Missouri Synod pastor Frederick Herzberger, built on Galatians 4:4: 'When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.' Each stanza begins and ends 'Now are the days fulfilled.' God's Son is revealed in flesh; the mighty God stills all wrath; the woman's promised Seed has come (st. 1). Jacob's Star shines; the world's night has fled (st. 2). And the child of God rejoices, because 'no bondage of the Law, no curses that it voices' can frighten us any more (st. 3).
Central theme: The fullness of time: God's Son born to still wrath, fulfil the promises, and free us from the Law's bondage and curse
Structure
Three eight-line stanzas (6.7.6.7.6.6.6.6), each framed by 'Now are the days fulfilled.' Promise (1) — Star (2) — freedom from the Law (3).
Law & Gospel Shape
A clear Law-Gospel hymn. Law: wrath, the world's night, 'the bondage of the Law,' its 'curses' (1-3). Gospel: 'by whom all wrath is stilled'; 'On Christ our hope we build' (1, 3).
Confessional Connections
Gal 4:4-5 (TLH's text): 'born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law' — Christ's obedience under the Law for us (FC III.15). 'By whom all wrath is stilled' — Christ propitiates God's wrath (AC III; Rom 5:9). 'The woman's promised Seed' (Gen 3:15) — the first Gospel promise. St. 3: freedom from the Law's curse and condemnation (Gal 3:13; Rom 8:1; FC V-VI: the Law no longer condemns believers, though it still guides them).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Christmas; Sunday after Christmas (Gal 4:1-7 is the historic Epistle).
Historical Notes
The original appeared in 1746; Herzberger (1859-1930), a Missouri Synod pastor and city missionary in St. Louis, translated it.
About the Tune
WAS FRAG' ICH NACH DER WELT (Ahasverus Fritsch, 1679).
Scripture References
Gal 4:4-5 John 1:14 1 Tim 3:16 Isa 9:6 Rom 5:9 Gen 3:15 Num 24:17 Isa 9:2 Isa 52:8 Gal 3:10-13 Rom 8:1, 15 Rom 6:14 1 Cor 3:11 Isa 9:6
Stanza by Stanza
Now the days are fulfilled; God's Son is revealed; now his great majesty is clothed in human flesh. See the mighty God, who stills all wrath, the woman's promised Seed — now the days are fulfilled.
Gal 4:4 (TLH's text). 'Manifested in the flesh' (1 Tim 3:16). 'Mighty God' (Isa 9:6). 'Saved by him from the wrath of God' (Rom 5:9). The woman's seed who crushes the serpent (Gen 3:15).
- Scripture
- Gal 4:4, 1 Tim 3:16, Isa 9:6, Rom 5:9, Gen 3:15
- Imagery & language
- Fullness of time; majesty in flesh; wrath stilled; promised Seed.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — wrath; Gospel — stilled by Christ.
- Connection to previous
- Fulfilled.
Now the days are fulfilled; look, Jacob's Star is shining; the gloomy night in which the world languished has fled. Now, Israel, look on him who has long stirred your heart; hear Zion's watchmen cry: now the days are fulfilled.
'A star shall come out of Jacob' (Num 24:17). 'The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light' (Isa 9:2). 'Your watchmen lift up their voice… for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion' (Isa 52:8).
- Scripture
- Num 24:17, Isa 9:2, Isa 52:8, Luke 2:25-32
- Imagery & language
- Jacob's Star; night fled; watchmen.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — promise fulfilled.
- Connection to previous
- Jacob's Star.
Now the days are fulfilled; the child of God rejoices; no bondage of the Law and no curses it pronounces can fill our hearts with fear; we build our hope on Christ. See the Prince of Peace — now the days are fulfilled.
Gal 4:5: 'to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.' 'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law' (Gal 3:13). 'You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear' (Rom 8:15). 'No condemnation' (Rom 8:1). The one foundation (1 Cor 3:11).
- Scripture
- Gal 4:5-7, Gal 3:10-13, Rom 8:1, 15, Rom 6:14, 1 Cor 3:11
- Imagery & language
- Law's bondage and curse; hope on Christ; Prince of Peace.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — bondage and curse; Gospel — freedom in Christ.
- Connection to previous
- Free from the Law.
Themes
Incarnation Gospel joy Redemption through Christ God's grace Reconciliation