Once He Came in Blessing

This beautiful German advent hymn poignantly tells not only the birth of Jesus, but His work in our hearts today and our hope in our future with Him. Let's look at this hymn verse by verse, so rich in Scripture, and ponder these truths as we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus and wait anxiously for His second coming.

Jesus came to make our wrongs right - to redress our ills. To pay for the sin that mankind had been committing since Eve gave in to the devil's temptation. Even though He is fully God, He came in the likeness of a man - taking on human form as a lowly baby.

...being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man... Philippians 2:7-8

The Son of the Most Holy God was born into this world just like every other human.

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman... Galatians 4:4

...concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh... Romans 1:3

For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Jesus was born to accomplish God's plan: to bear the cross in order that we might be saved, and giving us freedom and hope.

"You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." John 18:36-37

The truth is the gospel story - that Jesus Christ was born into the world to save sinners. That He died on the cross to save us, was buried, and rose again through God's power, conquering death and making it possible for us to live forever with Him in heaven. How cheering is the Christian's hope!

Once He Came in Blessing
Words by Johann Roh

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

Still He comes within us,
Still His voice would win us
From the sins that hurt us;
Would to truth convert us
From our foolish errors,
Ere He comes in terrors.

Thus if Thou hast known Him,
Not ashamed to own Him,
Nor dost love Him coldly,
But will trust Him boldly,
He will now receive thee,
Heal thee, and forgive thee.

He who well endureth,
Bright reward secureth;
Come, then, O Lord Jesus,
From our sins release us;
Let us here confess Thee,
Till in Heav’n we bless Thee.