1 Father, who hast created all
In wisest love, we pray,
Look on this babe, who at Thy call
Is ent'ring on life's way:
Bend o'er it now with blessing fraught,
And make Thou something out of naught.
2 O Son, who died for us, behold,
We bring our child to Thee!
Great Shepherd, take it to Thy fold,
Thine own for aye to be:
Defend it through this earthly strife,
And lead it in the path of life.
3 O Spirit, brooding o'er the wave,
Descend upon this child:
Give endless life, its spirit lave
With waters undefiled:
Grant it a child of God to be,
A holy temple unto Thee.
4 O God, Thine own command is done:
We speak, but Thine the might:
This child which scarce hath seen the sun,
O pour on it Thy light,
In faith and hope, in joy and love,
Thou Sun of all, below, above!
Amen.
Source: The Hymnal and Order of Service #227
Knapp, Albert, was born July 25, 1798, at Tübingen, where his father (1800, Oberanitmann at Alpirsbach in the Black Forest, and 1809, Oberamtmann at Rottweil) was then advocate at the Court of Appeal. In the autumn of 1814 he entered the Theological Seminary at Maulbronn, and in 1816 the Theological College at Tübingen, where he also graduated M.A. at the University. In November, 1820, he became assistant clergyman at Feuerbach, near Stuttgart; and in July, 1821, at Gaisburg, near Stuttgart. He was appointed, in Feb., 1825, diaconus (Heifer) at Sulz on the Neckar, and also pastor of the neighbouring village of Holzhausen; in June, 1831, archidiaconus at Kirchheim-unter-Teck, along with Bahnmaier (q.v.); in May, 1836, diaconus of the Hospi… Go to person page >
Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >
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