American Lutheran Hymnal ‎#356

356. 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 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 He is the Christ, our God and Lord,
Whose name we praise with one accord;
Your Savior He has deigned to be
And from all sin will set you free.

4 These are the tokens you shall mark:
The swaddling clothes, the manger dark;
In these the infant now is laid
By whom both heav'n and earth were made.

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

6 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?

7 Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
It still were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.

8 Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, and let it be
A quiet chamber, kept for Thee.

9 Praise be to God upon His throne
Who gave the world His only Son;
For this His hosts, on joyful wing,
A blest New Year of mercy sing.

Text Information

• First Line: From heav'n above to earth I come
• Title: From Heaven Above To Earth I Come
• Author: M. Luther
• Meter: L. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1930
• Topic: The Church Year: Christmas
• Source: Tr. Composite

Tune Information

• Name: ERFURT
• Meter: L. M.
• Key: C Major
• Source: From M. Luther's Geistliche Lieder, Leipzig, 1539; German chorale: Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her