Sharper Iron — The Hymns of Advent: Once He Came in Blessing

Rev. Dr. Christian Preus, pastor at Mount Hope Lutheran Church and School in Casper WY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #333, “Once He Came in Blessing.”

This hymn by Johann Horn takes us through the three comings of Christ. In His incarnation, Christ came to bless us as He came in humility to bear the cross for our salvation. Now, in the preaching of His Word and in the giving of His Body and Blood in the Sacrament, Christ comes to gently lead us and nourish us in His eternal life. On the Last Day, Christ will come in power and splendor for judgment; this is joyful for us as Christians because Christ has already spoken His verdict of justification to us. This truth leads us to pray that Christ would come, not only now in Word and Sacrament, but finally on the Last Day to take us to our eternal home with Him.

“The Hymns of Advent” is a series on Sharper Iron that looks at a variety of the hymns found in the Advent section Lutheran Service Book. The season of Advent prepares us for Christ’s coming. The hymns of Advent teach that this is more than getting ready for Christmas; the Word of the Lord sung in hymnody helps us to receive Christ as He comes to us now in the means of grace and when He comes again in glory on the Last Day.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Lutheran Service Book 333

1 Once He came in blessing,
All our sins redressing;
Came in likeness lowly,
Son of God most holy;
Bore the cross to save us;
Hope and freedom gave us.

2 Now He gently leads us;
With Himself He feeds us
Precious food from heaven,
Pledge of peace here given,
Manna that will nourish
Souls that they may flourish.

3 Soon will come that hour
When with mighty power
Christ will come in splendor
And will judgment render,
With the faithful sharing
Joy beyond comparing.

4 Come, then, O Lord Jesus,
From our sins release us.
Keep our hearts believing,
That we, grace receiving,
Ever may confess You
Till in heav’n we bless You.

Text: Once He Came in Blessing
Author: Johann Horn, c. 1490-1547
Translator (sts. 1,4): Catherine Winkworth
Tune: GOTTES SOHN IST KOMMEN
Arranger: Henry V. Gerike, b. 1948
Composer: Michael Weisse, c. 1480-1534

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).