O Lord We Welcome Thee

O Lord we welcome Thee

O Lord We Welcome Thee is a hymn text by Unknown in L.M. meter. Found in tlh 93.

The hymn emphasizes the welcoming of Christ as Lord during the Advent and Christmas seasons, reflecting Lutheran understanding of Christ's incarnation as God's redemptive work. It combines eschatological anticipation with liturgical welcome appropriate to the church calendar.

History & Background

This hymn appears in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 93, reflecting Lutheran hymnody traditions. The text's authorship and precise origins remain unclear, though it reflects the German Lutheran Christmas and Advent tradition.

Hymnal Appearances

The Lutheran Hymnal — 93

Bulletin Note

Set to the sturdy German tune ERHALT UNS HERR ("Preserve Us, Lord"), this hymn unites the comfort of Advent longing with bold liturgical welcome, reflecting Luther's conviction that Christ meets us in Word and community.

Preaching Connection

This hymn amplifies the Gospel proclamation of Christ's incarnation as pure grace—not the result of our worthiness, but God's free gift of redemptive love fulfilled in Jesus's coming.

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

A Christmas hymn by Caspar Ziegler, a Leipzig jurist and poet, set to 'Now Thank We All Our God.' We welcome the Child who has come from heaven to be our Brother and banish fear (st. 1); the mighty Son of God conceals his majesty to heal our fallen race and reveal the Father's love (st. 2); his sweet name pierces stony hearts, and those who call on it 'die not when we die' (st. 3); and we cling to him alone, building on him though heaven and earth quake, living and dying in him (st. 4).

Central theme: Welcoming the Christ-child, God hidden in flesh, our Brother and only foundation in life and death

Structure

Four eight-line stanzas (6.7.6.7.6.6.6.6). Welcome (1) — majesty concealed (2) — the Name (3) — to Him alone (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: 'our fallen race,' 'hearts of stone' (2-3). Gospel: balm and healing; 'We die not when we die' (2-3).

Confessional Connections

'His majesty concealing' — the state of humiliation: Christ possessed divine majesty but did not always use it (FC VIII.26; Phil 2:6-7). The Child 'reveals His Father's love' (John 1:18). 'Brother dear' (Heb 2:11). 'Calling on Thy name, we die not when we die' (John 11:26) — the Christian's death is sleep (AC XVII). 'To Thee alone… on Thee alone' — solus Christus.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Christmas; New Year (Name of Jesus); Christmas season.

Historical Notes

Ziegler (1621-1690), a Leipzig jurist, also wrote on hymn poetics; the hymn dates from 1648.

About the Tune

NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT (Johann Crüger, 1648).

Scripture References

Isa 9:6 Luke 2:10-11 Heb 2:11-14 1 John 4:18 Phil 2:6-7 John 1:14, 18 Matt 1:21 Ezek 36:26 Acts 4:12 John 11:25-26 1 Cor 3:11 Ps 46:2 Rom 14:8 2 Tim 2:11-12 Rev 3:21

Stanza by Stanza

1 O Lord, we welcome Thee,…

Lord, we welcome you; our hearts leap for joy. Jesus, dearest Child, keeping your precious promise, you have come from heaven to earth to be our dear Brother; gracious Son of God, you will banish all our fear.

Isa 9:6 (TLH's text): 'To us a child is born.' 'Not ashamed to call them brothers' (Heb 2:11). 'Fear not' (Luke 2:10); 'perfect love casts out fear' (1 John 4:18).

Scripture: Isa 9:6, Luke 2:10-11, Heb 2:11-14, 1 John 4:18
Imagery & language: Welcome; Brother dear; fear banished.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — the promise kept.
Connection to previous: Welcome.

Christmas Christ as Brother assurance

2 The mighty Son of God,…

The mighty Son of God, hiding his majesty, lives with our fallen race to give us balm and healing. The everlasting God comes down from heaven, becomes a winsome child, and reveals his Father's love.

Hidden majesty — 'he emptied himself' (Phil 2:6-7; FC VIII.26). 'The only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known' (John 1:18). 'The everlasting God… a winsome Child' — the communication of attributes.

Scripture: Phil 2:6-7, John 1:14, 18, Isa 53:5
Imagery & language: Majesty concealed; balm; Father's love.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — God revealed in the Child.
Connection to previous: Hidden majesty.

humiliation of Christ incarnation revelation

3 Ah, sweet and gentle name!…

What a sweet and gentle name! Its echoes sound far and wide; it pierces hearts of stone and tells of abundant love. Jesus, dearest Child, we will rely on you, and calling on your name, we do not die when we die.

'You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins' (Matt 1:21). Hearts of stone softened (Ezek 36:26). 'Everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die' (John 11:26) — 'We die not when we die.'

Scripture: Matt 1:21, Ezek 36:26, Acts 4:12, John 11:25-26
Imagery & language: Sweet name; hearts of stone; we die not.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — life in His name.
Connection to previous: The Name.

Name of Jesus death eternal life

4 To Thee alone we cling,…

We cling to you alone, leaving everything else for you; we build on you alone though heaven and earth shake. We live for you alone and die in you alone; Jesus, dearest Lord, we reign with you on high.

The one foundation (1 Cor 3:11). 'Though the earth gives way' (Ps 46:2). 'Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's' (Rom 14:8). 'If we endure, we will also reign with him' (2 Tim 2:12; Rev 3:21).

Scripture: 1 Cor 3:11, Ps 46:2, Rom 14:8, 2 Tim 2:11-12, Rev 3:21
Imagery & language: Cling; build; live and die; reign.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — solus Christus.
Connection to previous: Thee alone.

solus Christus perseverance eternal life

Themes

Incarnation Coming of Christ Welcome and praise Messianic expectation

Look Further

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