A Great and Mighty Wonder

"A Great and Mighty Wonder" is a classic Christmas hymn that originated in the 7th century from the writings of St. Germanus I, Patriarch of Constantinople, who composed it as part of the liturgy of the Eastern Church. The text was later translated into English in the 19th century by John Mason Neale, a leading figure in the Oxford Movement and one of the most influential translators of ancient and medieval hymns into English. Neale’s translation, first published in his Hymns of the Eastern Church in 1862, brought this ancient Greek hymn into widespread use among English-speaking congregations.

The hymn celebrates the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, calling it a "great and mighty wonder." Its verses emphasize the miraculous union of divinity and humanity in the birth of Christ, the virgin birth, and the angelic proclamation of peace on earth. The recurring refrain, "Repeat the hymn again: To God on high be glory, And peace on earth to men," echoes the song of the angels from Luke 2:14, reminding the worshiper of the heavenly announcement at Bethlehem.

Theologically, the hymn reflects the mystery of the Incarnation, a central doctrine of the Christian faith. By highlighting both the wonder of the virgin birth and the universal joy that follows, it captures the awe that Christians are called to feel at Christ’s coming. Musically, the hymn is often paired with the traditional German chorale tune "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" (Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming), giving it a solemn and majestic character that suits the theme of divine mystery. Over the centuries, it has remained a cherished hymn of Christmas worship, bridging the ancient liturgical traditions of the Eastern Church with the devotional life of modern congregations.