Once He Came in Blessing

Once He Came in Blessing is a hymn text by Paul Gerhardt (1653) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by John C. Mahood. Found in elw 337, lbw 312, lsb 333, lw 30. Sung to GOTTES SOHN IST KOMMEN.

This hymn presents Christ's incarnation and anticipated return as the fulfillment of messianic prophecy, emphasizing the comfort and hope believers find in His dual coming. It reflects Lutheran soteriology by connecting Old Testament promises with New Testament fulfillment and the eschatological hope of believers.

History & Background

Paul Gerhardt composed this hymn in 1653 as part of his extensive hymnodic output during the Thirty Years' War period in Germany. The text was first translated into English by John C. Mahood in 1966 and has been included in major Lutheran hymnals since.

Hymnal Appearances

• Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 337
• Lutheran Book of Worship — 312
• Lutheran Service Book — 333
• Lutheran Worship — 30
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 74

Translation

John C. Mahood

Bulletin Note

Paul Gerhardt (1653) wrote this Advent hymn connecting Old Testament messianic promise with New Testament incarnation and future return. A cornerstone of Lutheran Advent tradition celebrating Christ's dual coming.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel tension by naming human affliction and need, then proclaiming Christ as the answer in both advents, making it a powerful companion to any sermon on promise and fulfillment.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's first advent in grace → bestowal of saving grace → Christ's second advent in judgment → urgent call to repentance and welcome

Background Research

Johann Roh (Jan Roh/Horn, c. 1490–1547), a senior of the Bohemian Brethren (Unitas Fratrum), the pre-Reformation Hussite church later known as the Moravians. 'Gottes Sohn ist kommen' appeared in the Brethren's German hymnal, Ein Gesangbuch der Brüder (1544). The Brethren link is from the index, not the source. Theme: the threefold coming of Christ, once in humility at Bethlehem, now in Word and Sacrament to believers, and at the last in judgment. That is the classic Advent scheme (cf. Bernard of Clairvaux's three advents, from memory), and it maps well onto stanza analysis. The tune GOTTES SOHN IST KOMMEN is associated with Michael Weisse, the Brethren's earlier German hymnal editor (1531). Winkworth's English is in the Chorale Book for England (1863). LSB 333 uses a new text loosely based on Roh.

Sources: Tonus Peregrinus blog (19 Dec 2015).

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

• Advent 2 (3×)
• Advent 1 (2×)
• Advent 4 (1×)
• Christmas Eve (1×)
• Holy Monday (1×)
• St. Bartholomew (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

• Advent 1 (5×)
• Proper 22 (3×)
• Proper 26 (2×)
• Advent 2 (1×)
• Advent 4 (1×)
• St. Bartholomew (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

A hymn of the Bohemian Brethren by Johann Roh. It teaches the threefold advent of Christ: he came once in the flesh to save (st. 1), comes now in the Word to win us from sin (st. 2), and will come in judgment (st. 2-4). Those who trust and confess him will be received, healed, and forgiven (st. 3), and the prayer is to confess him here until praising him in heaven (st. 4).

Central theme: Christ's three comings — in the flesh, in the Word, and in glory

Structure

Past coming (1); present coming in the Word (2); how to receive him (3); perseverance and final coming (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law in 'Ere He comes in terrors'; Gospel in the incarnation, his voice winning us, forgiveness.

Confessional Connections

Classic medieval and Reformation teaching of Christ's threefold advent. Christ comes now through the Word (AC V). Confession of Christ (Matt 10:32).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

First Sunday in Advent; Advent generally.

Historical Notes

Roh (c. 1490-1547), a leader of the Bohemian Brethren, published it in their German hymnal (1544).

About the Tune

GOTTES SOHN IST KOMMEN (Bohemian Brethren, 1544).

Scripture References

Gal 4:4 Phil 2:7 John 10:27 Heb 3:7-8 Matt 10:32 Luke 9:26 Rev 22:20 Matt 24:13

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Christ's advent and return Redemption and healing Second Coming Divine mercy Messianic fulfillment

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Once He Came in Blessing" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "GOTTES SOHN IST KOMMEN" ↗