"Worthy is Christ": A Modern Hymn and Its Apocalyptic Pedigree‪.‬

In 1978, a new Lutheran Book of Worship was published, containing a new and in truth surprising innovation to the eucharistic liturgy of North American Lutherans. As an alternative to the Gloria Patri ("Glory be to the Father and to the Son ..."), a hymn of praise that formed part of the entrance rite with which the liturgy traditionally began, a hymn was offered that was quite startling in its concept and wording: "This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia. Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God. Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, honor and blessing and glory are his. This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia. Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation: Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. This is the feast of victory for our God, for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia" (LBW, 81-82). Alleluias frame the hymn at beginning and close, thus making it particularly appropriate for use in the Easter season when the Alleluias return to the liturgy, accompanying and greeting the announcement that "Christ has risen!"