Seventeen years after Martin Luther's 95 Theses were posted to Castle Church's door in Wittenberg, Germany, his pen found expression in composing the Advent hymn, "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come." Of his nearly 40 hymns--"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" perhaps being his most well-known--this 15-stanza offering does not disappoint in educating the mind and swelling the affections of the heart for Christ. Over numerous years, the text has been set to a variety of melodies, but the text has been minimally updated. As you thoughtfully read through the text below this delightful Christmas Eve, may the Spirit be delighted to remind of you of the wonders of Christ's condescension to earth to take on flesh and turn enemies of God into hope-filled saints.
1. From Heaven above to Earth I come
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I will now say and sing:
2. To you this night is born a child
Of Mary, chosen mother mild;
This little child of lowly birth
Shall be the joy of all the Earth.
3. 'Tis Christ our God, who far on high
Hath heard your sad and bitter cry;
Himself will your salvation be;
Himself from sin will make you free.
4. He brings those blessings, long ago
Prepared by God for all below;
Henceforth His Kingdom open stands
To you, as to the angel bands.
5. These are the tokens ye shall mark:
The swaddling clothes and manger dark;
There shall ye find the young child laid,
By whom the heavens and earth were made.
6. Now let us all with gladsome cheer
Follow the shepherds and draw near
To see this wondrous gift of God
Who hath his only Son bestowed.
7. Give heed, my heart, lift up tine eyes!
Who is it in yon manger lies?
Who is this child, so young and fair?
The blessed Christ-child lieth there.
8. Welcome to Earth, Thou noble guest,
Through whom even wicked men are blessed!
Thou comest to share our misery,
What can we Redner, Lord, to Thee?
9. Ah, Lord, who hast created all,
How hast Thou made Thee weak and small,
That Thou must choose Thy infant bed
Where ass and ox but lately fed!
10. Were Earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
She were yet too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.
11. For velvets soft and silken stuff
Thou hast but hay and straw so rough;
Whereon Thou King, so rich and great,
As 'twere Thy Heaven, are throned in state.
12. Thus has it pleased Thee to make plain
The truth to us poor fools and vain,
That this world's honor, wealth and might
Are nought and worthless in Thy sight.
13. Ah! dearest Jesus, Holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.
14. My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep;
I too must sing with joyful tongue
That sweetest ancient cradle-song.
15. Glory to God in highest Heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given!
While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad new song to all the Earth.
Be encouraged with this rendition by The Redeemer Choir, Austin, Texas.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6, ESV
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