O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day
O Christ, Who art the Light and Day
O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day is a hymn text by Philipp Nicolai (1599) in 8.8.8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in lbw 273, lsb 882, tlh 559. Sung to PUER NOBIS NASCITUR.
This hymn expresses Christological focus central to Lutheran worship, emphasizing Christ as the incarnate Light who dispels spiritual darkness and guides believers. It reflects the Lutheran appreciation for incarnational theology and the comfort of Christ's presence amid earthly trials.
History & Background
Philipp Nicolai composed this hymn in 1599 as part of his devotional work for his congregation during plague times. The text became widely known through Lutheran hymnals and has been translated into English multiple times with varying textual traditions.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 273
- Lutheran Service Book — 882
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 559
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Lutheran theologian and hymnist Philipp Nicolai in 1599, this hymn expresses the incarnational theology central to Lutheran faith: Christ the eternal Word made flesh to be our light and guardian amid earthly darkness.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel movement: it names our spiritual darkness and need, then proclaims Christ as the incarnate Light who has come to guide and redeem us—anchoring assurance in his presence rather than our own strength.
Background Research
Latin 'Christe, qui lux es et dies', a 6th-c. Ambrosian-style Compline hymn sung in Lent. German versions: Erasmus Alber's 'Christe, du bist der helle Tag' (1556, tune attributed to Cyriakus Spangenberg, 1568) and the older 'Christe, der du bist Tag und Licht'. Bach wrote three settings: chorale BWV 273, the organ partita BWV 766, and the Neumeister prelude BWV 1120. Next lead: which German version TLH's English follows. Source: bach-cantatas.com.
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Lent 3 (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
An ancient Latin hymn for Compline (night prayer), sung especially in Lent; Lutherans knew it in German as 'Christe, der du bist Tag und Licht.' It confesses Christ as Light and Day, whose Word shows heaven's light (st. 1); asks for calm, safe repose (st. 2) and sleep free from sin and the Tempter (st. 3); prays that the heart stay awake to God while the eyes sleep (st. 4); asks God our Shield to quell hell's crafts and guide those he bought with his blood (st. 5) and to remember us who bear the burden of the flesh (st. 6); and ends with a doxology (st. 7).
Central theme: Christ the Light guarding his blood-bought people through the night against sin and the devil
Structure
Seven long-meter quatrains. Christ the Light (1) — repose (2) — pure sleep (3) — the waking heart (4) — protection (5-6) — doxology (7).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: sinful stain, the Tempter, unguarded flesh, guilt; 'the crafts of hell' (3, 5). Gospel: Christ the Light; 'purchased with Thy blood' (1, 5).
Confessional Connections
'Whose Word doth show the light of heaven' (st. 1) — illumination through the Word (AC V). Prayer against temptation and the devil at night (Luther's Evening Prayer: 'that the evil foe may have no power over me'). The Church as those Christ 'purchased with His blood' (Acts 20:28; SC Second Article). 'The burden of the flesh' — the Christian's ongoing struggle with the old Adam (Rom 7; FC VI).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Evening; Compline; Lent.
Historical Notes
The Latin hymn dates from the early Middle Ages (perhaps 6th-8th century); Lutheran use came through German versions in the 16th century. Copeland (1804-1885) translated many breviary hymns.
About the Tune
TLH: CHRISTE, DER DU BIST TAG UND LICHT (Latin melody; TLH c. 600). Row 1137 lists CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM.
Scripture References
John 8:12 1 John 1:5 Ps 119:105 Ps 4:8 Ps 91:5-6 Matt 26:41 Song 5:2 Ps 139:10 Ps 3:3 Eph 6:11 Acts 20:28 1 Pet 1:18-19 2 Cor 5:4 Rom 7:24 Matt 28:20
Stanza by Stanza
Christ, you who are Light and Day, you drive night and gloom away; Light of Light, whose Word shows us here below the light of heaven.
John 8:12 (TLH's text): 'I am the light of the world.' The Word as lamp (Ps 119:105). At nightfall the Church confesses that Christ, not the sun, is its day.
- Scripture
- John 8:12, 1 John 1:5, Ps 119:105, 2 Cor 4:6
- Imagery & language
- Light and Day; Word.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ the Light.
- Connection to previous
- Light.
All-holy Lord, we humbly ask for your watchful care tonight. Give us calm rest in you, a quiet night free from danger.
Ps 4:8: 'In peace I will both lie down and sleep.' Ps 91:5: 'You will not fear the terror of the night.'
- Scripture
- Ps 4:8, Ps 91:5-6, Ps 121:4-7
- Imagery & language
- Watchful care; repose.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — protection.
- Connection to previous
- Repose.
Let our sleep be free from the stain of sin; let the Tempter gain no advantage, nor surprise our unguarded flesh and make us guilty in your eyes.
Night as a time of vulnerability to temptation — a Compline theme (Matt 26:41: 'the flesh is weak'). Luther's Evening Prayer: 'that the evil foe may have no power over me.'
- Scripture
- Matt 26:41, 1 Pet 5:8, 1 Thess 4:3-4
- Imagery & language
- Pure sleep; Tempter; unguarded flesh.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — weakness; prayer for protection.
- Connection to previous
- Pure sleep.
Though tired eyes may sleep, keep the heart awake to you; let your right hand stretched out above guard those who serve the Lord they love.
Song 5:2: 'I slept, but my heart was awake.' God's right hand (Ps 139:10). Faith does not sleep even when the body does.
- Scripture
- Song 5:2, Ps 139:10, Ps 121:5
- Imagery & language
- Sleeping eyes, waking heart; right hand.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — guarded in sleep.
- Connection to previous
- Waking heart.
Look, God our Shield, and crush the crafts and subtleties of hell; direct in every good thing your servants, whom you bought with your blood.
God our shield (Ps 3:3). 'The schemes of the devil' (Eph 6:11). 'Purchased with Thy blood' — 'the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood' (Acts 20:28). Note: the blood is God's — the divine person suffered in the flesh (FC VIII).
- Scripture
- Ps 3:3, Eph 6:11, Acts 20:28, 1 Pet 1:18-19
- Imagery & language
- Shield; crafts of hell; blood-bought.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — purchased by blood.
- Connection to previous
- Shield.
Lord, remember us who carry the burden of the flesh we wear; you who defend our souls, stay with us to the end.
'While we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened' (2 Cor 5:4). 'Who will deliver me from this body of death?' (Rom 7:24). 'I am with you always, to the end' (Matt 28:20).
- Scripture
- 2 Cor 5:4, Rom 7:24-25, Matt 28:20, Ps 25:6-7
- Imagery & language
- Burden of flesh; defender.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ with us to the end.
- Connection to previous
- Remember us.
All praise to God the Father; all praise to you, eternal Son, whom we worship with the Spirit forever and ever.
The customary Trinitarian doxology of the office hymns (same as TLH 550, st. 9).
- Scripture
- 2 Cor 13:14, Matt 28:19
- Imagery & language
- Doxology.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — praise.
- Connection to previous
- Doxology.
Themes
Light of Christ Incarnation Divine Protection Pilgrimage of faith Eschatology