Words: , 1531 (Von Him­mel hoch da komm ich her). This ver­sion ap­peared in the Penn­syl­van­ia Lu­ther­an Church Book, 1868, and is based on trans­la­tions by and .

Music: Von Him­mel Hoch, from Geist­liche Lied­er, by Val­en­tin Schu­mann (Leip­zig, Ger­ma­ny: 1539); har­mo­ny by .


Good news from Heav’n the angels bring,
Glad tidings to the earth they sing:
To us this day a Child is giv’n,
To crown us with the joy of Heav’n.

All hail, Thou noble Guest, this morn,
Whose love did not the sinner scorn:
In my distress Thou com’st to me,
What thanks shall I return to Thee?

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

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

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


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