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A well-loved hymn is featured this month that comes to us from the year 1677 - FAIREST LORD JESUS.
This hymn originates from Roman Catholic Jesuits in Germany and initially had six verses. Its first appearance was in a Jesuit hymnbook titled Munster Gesangbuch. However, this hymn's text existed at least 15 years earlier, being found in a manuscript from 1662. The author of the words remains a mystery to this day.
An anonymous translator translated the first three verses into English. The fourth stanza was by Joseph A. Seiss, first appearing in a Lutheran Sunday School book in 1873.
This hymn emphasizes the beauty and wonder of Christ and alludes to His dual nature - both human AND divine.
This hymn is arguably one of the greatest observations ever made about Christ. John Chrysostom, the "golden-mouthed" preacher of Antioch, said in this fourth-century sermon - "I do not think of Christ as God alone, or man alone, but both together." He cited several examples:
Christ was hungry but fed five thousand
Christ was thirsty but turned water into wine
Christ was carried on a ship but walked on the sea
Christ died but was raised from the dead
Christ was set before Pilate but sits at the right hand of God
Christ was stoned by the Jews but worshipped by angels.
Each example beautifully references human and divine - together. A better description of that sacred duality would be hard to find.
Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature;
O Thou of God and man the Son.
Thee will I cherish; thee will I honor
Thou my soul's glory, joy and crown.
Blessings,
Pastor Jim
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