This Night a Wondrous Revelation
This night a wondrous revelation
This Night a Wondrous Revelation is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by George A. T. Ryberg. Found in lw 27, tlh 88.
The hymn celebrates the Incarnation as the supreme revelation of God's grace and mercy toward fallen humanity, emphasizing Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy regarding the Dayspring from on high. Lutheran theology recognizes this text's proclamation of the Gospel's central mystery: God becoming human for human salvation.
History & Background
Martin Behm composed this German Christmas hymn in the early 17th century as part of the Lutheran hymnodic tradition. The hymn was first published in German hymnals and later translated into English by George A. T. Ryberg in 1941 for inclusion in The Lutheran Hymnal.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 27
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 88
Translation
Bulletin Note
Martin Behm (1610) penned this Incarnation hymn grounded in Old Testament prophecy, particularly the Benedictus's 'Dayspring from on high.' A treasury of Lutheran Christmas proclamation.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Law-Gospel movement by moving listeners from humanity's desperate need in darkness to the triumphant proclamation of Christ as fulfillment of every Old Testament longing.
Overview
A Christmas hymn by Caspar Friedrich Nachtenhöfer, a pastor in Coburg, translated by Anna Hoppe (compare TLH 419). This night reveals God's love: the Child brings light brighter than a thousand suns (st. 1); the Sun of Grace beams from the manger, driving away sin's night (st. 2); this light will still shine when sun, moon and stars vanish, and will be our heaven (st. 3); and the singer asks Jesus, the Sun of Gladness, to make him a child of light (st. 4).
Central theme: Christ born as the Light brighter than all suns, who drives away sin's night and will be our eternal light
Structure
Four six-line stanzas (9.8.9.8.8.8). Revelation (1) — Sun of Grace (2) — eternal light (3) — child of light (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'our benighted race,' 'the night of sin' (1-2). Gospel: light that 'drives the night of sin away' (2).
Confessional Connections
The light of Christmas is the revelation of 'God's love and grace' (st. 1) — the Gospel (2 Cor 4:6). It 'drives the night of sin away' — forgiveness and illumination by the Spirit (SC Third Article). The Lamb as the eternal lamp of the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:23) — heaven is Christ himself. 'Child of light' (Eph 5:8) — the baptized life.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Christmas Eve; Christmas Day.
Historical Notes
Nachtenhöfer (1624-1685) served at Coburg; Hoppe (1889-1941) translated it in 1922.
About the Tune
O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE (Johann B. König, 1738).
Scripture References
Luke 1:78-79 Luke 2:9 John 1:4-9 John 8:12 Isa 9:2 Mal 4:2 2 Cor 4:6 Rev 21:23 Rev 22:5 Isa 60:19-20 Eph 5:8 1 Thess 5:5
Stanza by Stanza
This night a wonderful revelation shows me God's love and grace; the Child who deserves worship brings light to our darkened race; and though a thousand suns were shining, that divine Light would still be brighter.
Luke 1:78-79 (TLH's text): 'the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness.' 'The glory of the Lord shone around them' (Luke 2:9). The true light (John 1:9).
- Scripture
- Luke 1:78-79, Luke 2:9, John 1:4-9
- Imagery & language
- Revelation; benighted race; thousand suns.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — light revealed.
- Connection to previous
- Revelation.
The Sun of Grace is shining for you; rejoice, my soul, in Jesus' birth! The light streaming from that manger sends its rays over all the earth; it drives away the night of sin and turns our darkness into day.
'The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings' (Mal 4:2). 'The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light' (Isa 9:2). 'For thee' — the pro me of Christmas.
- Scripture
- Mal 4:2, Isa 9:2, John 8:12
- Imagery & language
- Sun of Grace; manger light; night of sin.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — night of sin; Gospel — light.
- Connection to previous
- Sun of Grace.
This light, which can banish all your gloom, glorifies the bliss of heaven; when sun, moon and stars vanish, its rays will still light the skies. This light will be your heaven and your all for eternity.
'The city has no need of sun or moon… for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb' (Rev 21:23; 22:5; Isa 60:19-20). Heaven is Christ himself.
- Scripture
- Rev 21:23, Rev 22:5, Isa 60:19-20
- Imagery & language
- Eternal light; sun and stars vanishing.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ our heaven.
- Connection to previous
- Eternal light.
Jesus, precious Sun of gladness, fill my soul with light, I pray. Drive away the gloomy night of sadness and teach me this Christmas Day how I may be a child of light, glowing with the light that comes from you.
'You are all children of light' (1 Thess 5:5); 'walk as children of light' (Eph 5:8). The light is received from Christ, not produced by us (Matt 5:14-16).
- Scripture
- Eph 5:8, 1 Thess 5:5, Matt 5:14-16
- Imagery & language
- Sun of Gladness; child of light.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — light received.
- Connection to previous
- Child of light.
Themes
Incarnation Divine visitation Light of Christ Salvation history