Lutheran Hymnody
The Hymns
CHRISTMAS
85
From Heaven Above to Earth I Come
Luke 2: 1–18
L. M.
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her
Martin Luther, 1535
Tr., Catherine Winkworth, 1855, alt.
Vom Himmel hoch
“Geistliche Lieder”
Leipzig, 1539
be
and
stow
Lord,
child
come
God
gifts
born
earth
I
a
Who
Pre
Of
To
“From
4
“He
3
“This
2
“To
1
is
you
heav’n
will
you
Christ,
night
bove
is
the
our
to
on
the
this
a
king
self
Him
child,
of
His
dom,
your
of
great
in
will
lit
ti
dings
tle
y,
all
by
good
bear
Mar
in
pared
for
shall
sen
to
God
need
cho
news
all
aid
vir
ev
low,
ford;
home;
mild;
That
He
This
Glad
be
gin
’ry
af
of
be
all
may
Where
Shall
From
You
your
with
the
now
joy
sins
us
I
joy
bring,
birth,
be
fair,
low
Sav
bright
I
ly
ior
and
men.
sing:
earth.
share.
A
free.
say
all
set
glo
His
will
of
to
and
the
you
ry
5
“These are the tokens ye shall mark:
The swaddling-clothes and manger dark;
There ye shall find the Infant laid
By whom the heav’ns and earth were made.”
6
Now let us all with gladsome cheer
Go with the shepherds and draw near
To see the precious gift of God,
Who hath His own dear Son bestowed.
7
Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!
What is it in yon manger lies?
Who is this child, so young and fair?
The blessèd Christ-child lieth there.
8
Welcome to earth, Thou noble Guest,
Through whom the sinful world is blest!
Thou com’st to share my misery;
What thanks shall I return to Thee?
9
Ah, Lord, who hast created all,
How weak art Thou, how poor and small,
That Thou dost choose Thine infant bed
Where humble cattle lately fed!
10
Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
It yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.
11
For velvets soft and silken stuff
Thou hast but hay and straw so rough,
Whereon Thou, King, so rich and great,
As ’twere Thy heav’n, art throned in state.
12
And thus, dear Lord, it pleaseth Thee
To make this truth quite plain to me,
That all the world’s wealth, honor, might,
Are naught and worthless in Thy sight.
13
Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.
14
My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep;
I, too, must sing with joyful tongue
That sweetest ancient cradle-song:
15
Glory to God in highest heav’n,
Who unto us His Son hath given!
While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad new year to all the earth.
Adoration
Opening of Service
Lord’s Day
Worship and Praise
Close of Service
The Church Year
Advent
Christmas
New Year’s Eve
New Year
Epiphany
Transfiguration
Presentation
Lent
Palm Sunday
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter
Ascension
Pentecost
Trinity
St. Michael’s and All Angels
Reformation
St. Andrew
St. John the Apostle
Holy Innocents
Annunciation
Invitation
The Word
Law and Gospel
The Sacraments
Baptism
Lord’s Supper
Confession and Absolution
Confirmation
The Redeemer
Faith and Justification
Sanctification
Consecration
New Obedience
Trust
Stewardship
Christian Warfare
Prayer
The Church
Communion of Saints
Ministry
Missions
Cross and Comfort
Times and Seasons
Morning
Evening
Harvest and Thanksgiving
The Nation
The Last Things
Death and Burial
Judgment
Life Everlasting
The Christian Home
Marriage
The Family
Christian Education
Special Occasions
Cornerstone Laying
Dedication
Church Anniversary
Theological Institutions
Foreign Missionaries
Absent Ones
The Long-Meter Doxology
Carols and Spiritual Songs