For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given…And His name shall be called Wonderful, counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
The hymn “Fairest Lord Jesus” came from Roman Catholic Jesuits in Germany. It first appeared in 1677 in a Jesuit hymnbook. The text of the hymn, however, was in existence at least fifteen years earlier. Yet the origin of the words remains a mystery. Who translated it into English is a mystery, as well. The fourth verse was by Joseph A. Seiss, and it first appeared in a Lutheran Sunday School book in 1873.
It is appropriate that no human author draws attention from the great theme of the song. There’s no source to distract from the subject, no story to distract from the Savior.
The hymn emphasizes the beauty and wonder of Christ, and speaks to His dual nature, that He is both human and divine. Thou of God and man the Son…Son of God and Son of Man…
It is one of the most worshipful hymns Christians sing. It is old. But we can go much further back in history to remember part of a famous sermon by John Chrysostom, from the fourth century.
“I do not think of Christ as God alone, or man alone, but both together. For I know He was hungry, and I know that with five loaves He fed five thousand. I know He was thirsty, and I know that He turned the water into wine. I know He was carried in a ship, and I know that He walked on the sea. I know that He died, and I know that He rose from the dead. I know that He was set before Pilate, and I know that He sits with His Father on His throne. I know that He was worshiped by angels, and I know that He was stoned by His own people. And truly some of these I ascribe to the human, and others to the divine nature. For by reason of this He is said to have been both God and man.
Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nation! Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, praise, adoration, Now and forever more be Thine.
