Christian Hymns ‎#12

12. From highest heaven to earth I come

1 From highest heaven 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:

2 To you this night is born a Child
Of Mary, chosen virgin mild;
This little child of lowly birth
Shall be the joy of all the earth.

3 'Tis Christ, our God and Lord, is born,
To comfort those who weep and mourn;
He will Himself your Saviour be,
From all your sins will set you free.

4 To you the blessedness He bears,
Which God the Father's love prepares,
That, in His heavenly kingdom blest,
You may with us forever rest.

5 These are the tokens ye shall mark:
The swaddling clothes and manger dark;
There shall ye find the infant laid,
By whom the heavens and earth were made.

6 Then let us all with gladsome cheer
The shepherds follow, and draw near
To see the wondrous gift of God,
Who hath His only Son bestowed.

7 Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!
Who is it in yon manger lies?
Who is this child so young and fair?
Dear little Jesus lieth there.

8 All hail, Thou noble Guest, this morn,
Whose love did not the sinner scorn!
In my distress Thou comest to me;
What thanks shall I return to Thee?

9 Ah Lord, who hast created all,
How hast Thou made Thee weak and small,
That Thou must choose Thy infant bed
Where ass and ox but lately fed!

10 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, 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 heaven, 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 O 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 raise with joyful tongue
That sweetest ancient cradle-song:

15 Praise God upon His heavenly throne,
Who gave to us His only Son!
For this His hosts, on joyful wing,
A blest New Year of mercy sing.

Text Information

• First Line: From highest heaven to earth I come
• Meter: L. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1898
• Topic: TheChurch Year: Christmas; Christ: Guest; Consecration
• Notes: Luther, 1535. Tr. Winkworth, alt.; Norwegian title: Fra Himlen Höit

Tune Information

• Name: FROM HIGHEST HEAVEN
• Meter: L. M.
• Key: C Major
• Source: Early Lutheran. 1535.
• Notes: Norwegian tune name: Fra Himlen Höit