This Little Babe So Few Days Old
This little Babe so few days old
The hymn emphasizes the mystery of God becoming human in Christ, highlighting both the vulnerability and divine purpose of the Incarnation. It reflects Lutheran emphasis on Christ's full humanity united with divinity for human redemption.
History & Background
Written in the 16th century by John Coly, this hymn reflects early English Protestant carol traditions celebrating the Nativity with theological depth. It appears in various collections including the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal.
Bulletin Note
John Coly's 1534 carol captures the Reformation's wonder at the Incarnation itself: God's radical condescension to human flesh, making salvation not distant doctrine but an event we can embrace, hold, and trust.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran claim that Christ's full humanity united with divinity accomplishes what the Law cannot: it shows us God's grace meeting us not in judgment but in defenseless love, opening the path to redemption.
Themes
Incarnation Christ's humanity Christological mystery Divine humility