Jaroslav J. Vajda
1919–2008 · USA · Modern
Jaroslav J. Vajda (1919–2008) was a preeminent American Lutheran hymn writer, liturgist, and translator who profoundly shaped modern Lutheran worship through his original compositions and editorial work. Serving as editor of Lutheran Worship (1982), he championed a renewal of Lutheran hymnody by blending traditional liturgical sensibilities with contemporary theological insights and poetic excellence. Vajda authored numerous original hymn texts that have become standards in American Protestant churches, including works such as "God of the Sparrow" and settings of liturgical texts. His translations from German and other languages enriched the English-language hymnal tradition, making significant European compositions accessible to American congregations. His legacy represents a crucial bridge between classical Lutheran hymnody and the modern liturgical movement.
Hymn Texts (50)
- The Hills are Bare at Bethlehem
- Where Shepherds Lately Knelt
- Now the Silence
- We Who Once Were Dead
- Alleluia Let Praises Ring
- Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized
- Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings
- Mark How the Lamb of God's Self-Offering
- See This Wonder in the Making
- Through Simple Water, Drawn and Poured
- "Away from Us!" the Demon Cried
- All You Works of God, Bless the Lord
- As Rebels, Lord, Who Foolishly Have Wandered
- Christ Sits at God's Right Hand
- Christ the Eternal Lord
- Christ, Mighty Savior
- Christ, Our Human Likeness Sharing
- Christ, the Word of God Incarnate
- Consider How the Birds Above
- In the Shattered Bliss of Eden
- Jesus, Greatest at the Table
- Joyously I'll Praise My Savior
- Long Before the World Is Waking
- Lord, When You Came as Welcome Guest
- No Tramp of Soldiers' Marching Feet
- O Light Whose Splendor
- O Sing of Christ
- Our Paschal Lamb, That Sets Us Free
- Sing Praise to Our Creator
- Sing Praise to the God of Israel
- The Infant Priest Was Holy Born
- The Temple Rang with Golden Coins
- There is a Time for Ev'rything
- These Things Did Thomas Count as Real
- When You Woke That Thursday Morning
- When to Our World the Savior Came
- Word and Water Filled with Promise
- Word of God, When All Was Silent
- Your Kingdom, O God, Is My Glorious Treasure
- Cup of Blessing That We Share
- Dear Father You Have Made us All
- Here from All Nations
- I Will Sing My Father's Praises
- Lord You Love the Cheerful Giver
- O God of Youth Whose Spirit in Our Hearts is Stirring
- There is a Time for Everything
- We Are Called to Stand Together
- God of Love and God of Marriage
- Glory to God, We Give You Thanks and Praise
- The Tree of Life