Good News From heaven To Earth I Bear

Representative Text

1 Good news from heaven to earth I bear
And now with you will gladly share;
My story is a joyful lay,
So hear what I shall have to say.

2 This night to you is born a Child,
The chosen Virgin's Infant mild,
And He, a Child of lowly birth,
Shall be the Joy of all the earth.

3 This sign I, too, would have you mark:
the swaddling clothes, the manger dark;
In these the Infant now is laid
By whom both heaven and earth were made.

4 His is the Christ, our God and Lord,
Whose name we praise with one accord;
Your Savior He has deigned to be,
And from kingdom bright and fair
You shall with us His glory share.

5 Rich gifts He has in store for you,
Prepared by God, our Father true;
In yonder kingdom bright and fair
You shall with us His glory share.

6 Oh, let us then most happy be
And with the shepherds go to see
what blessings God for us has won
by sending us His only Son.

7 To that small crib direct your eyes;
Behold a a gift that angels prize!
Who is this Child so wondrous fair?
The blessed Christ-child lieth there.

8 We welcome Thee, most noble Guest,
Through whom this sinful world is blest.
Thy coming is a boon for me;
What thanks shall I return to Thee?



Source: Hymnal for Church and Home (2nd ed.) #92

Author: Martin Luther

Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody. i. Hymn Books. 1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German h… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Good news from heaven to earth I bear
Title: Good News From heaven To Earth I Bear
Author: Martin Luther
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Source: Translation composite
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

VOM HIMMEL HOCH

Initially Luther used the folk melody associated with his first stanza as the tune for this hymn. Later he composed this new tune for his text. VOM HIMMEL HOCH was first published in Valentin Schumann's Geistliche Lieder in 1539. Johann S. Bach (PHH 7) used Luther's melody in three places in his wel…

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Timeline

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Hymnal for Church and Home (2nd ed.) #92

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Hymnal for Church and Home #92

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