O Lord We Welcome Thee
O Lord we welcome Thee
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.
Themes
Incarnation Coming of Christ Welcome and praise Messianic expectation