1 The bells of Christmas chime once more;
the heav'nly guest is at the door.
He comes to earthly dwellings still
with new year gifts of peace, good will.
2 This world, though wide and far outspread,
could scarcely find for you a bed.
Your cradle was a manger stall,
no pearl nor silk nor kingly hall.
3 Now let us go with quiet mind,
the swaddled babe with shepherds find,
to gaze on him who gladdens them,
the loveliest flow'r of Jesse's stem.
4 Oh, join with me, in gladness sing,
to keep our Christmas with our king,
until our song, from loving souls,
like rushing mighty water rolls!
5 O patriarchs' Joy, O prophets' Song,
O Dayspring bright, awaited long,
O Son of Man, incarnate Word,
great David's Son, great David's Lord:!
6 Come, Jesus, glorious heav'nly guest,
and keep your Christmas in our breast;
then David's harp-string, hushed so long,
shall swell our jubilee of song.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Worship #298
Nicolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig was the son of a pastor, and was born at Udby, in Seeland, in 1783. He studied in the University of Copenhagen from 1800-1805; and, like some other eminent men, did not greatly distinguish himself; his mind was too active and his imagination too versatile to bear the restraint of the academic course. After leaving the university he took to teaching; first in Langeland, then (1808) in Copenhagen. Here he devoted his attention to poetry, literature, and Northern antiquities. In 1810 he became assistant to his father in a parish in Jutland. The sermon he preached at his ordination, on the subject "Why has the Lord's word disappeared from His house," attracted much attention, which is rarely the case with "pro… Go to person page >
Charles Porterfield Krauth, D.D.,LL. D.: b. 1823, Martinsburg,Va.; d. 1883. pastor at Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia; President of General Council 1870 to 1880; Professor at the University of Penna; professor of Theology, Phila., Pa.; author of "The Conservative Reformation"
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal, 1908 Go to person page >
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