Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary ‎#123

123. From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

1 "From heav'n above to earth I come
To bear good news to ev'ry 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 who far on high
Hath heard your sad and bitter cry;
Himself will your salvation be
Himself from sin will make you free.

4 "He brings those blessing, long ago
Prepared by God for all below,
Henceforth His kingdom open stands
To you, as to the angel bands.

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

6 Now let us all with gladsome cheer
Follow the shepherds and draw near
To see this wondrous gift of God,
Who hath His only 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 blessed 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 can we render, Lord, 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 ox and as but 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 Thus hath it pleased Thee to make plain
The truth to sinners poor and vain,
That all the world's honor, wealth and 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 giv'n!
While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad new year to all the earth.

Text Information

• First Line: "From heav'n above to earth I come
• Title: From Heaven Above to Earth I Come
• German Title: Von Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her
• Author: M. Luther, 1483-1546
• Translator: C. Winkworth, 1827-78 (alt.)
• Meter: L M
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: Nativity of our Lord

Tune Information

• Name: VON HIMMEL HOCH
• Composer: M. Luther, 1483-1546
• Arranger: M. Praetorius, 1571-1621
• Meter: L M
• Key: C Major