FROM HEAVEN ABOVE TO EARTH I COME
"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.;"
Luke 2:10
Words: Martin Luther, 1531; translated from German to English by
Catherine Winkworth. Luther wrote this hymn for the Christmas Eve
festival held annually at his house. The opening verses were
traditionally sung by a man dressed as an angel.
Music: "Von Himmel Hoch," Geistliche Lieder, Leipzig, 1539; harmony by
Johann Sebastian Bach.
From heaven above to earth I come
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing.
To you this night is born a Child
Of Mary, chosen mother mild;
This little Child, of lowly birth,
Shall be the Joy of all the earth.
Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
She yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, to Thee.
Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.
'Glory to God in highest heaven
Who unto man His Son hath given,'
While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad new year to all the earth.
Welcome to earth, Thou noble Guest,
Through Whom e'en wicked men are blessed!
Thou com'st to share our misery;
What can we render, Lord, to Thee?