Scripture Verse

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. Isaiah 9:2

Introduction

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Martin Luther
1483–1546

Words: Mar­tin Lu­ther, 1535 (Ge­lo­bet seist du Je­su Christ). Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by an un­known au­thor in the Sab­bath Hymn Book (An­do­ver, Mas­sa­chu­setts: 1858).

Music: Pu­er No­bis Nas­ci­tur Tri­er man­u­script, 15th Cen­tu­ry. Adapt­ed by Mi­chael Prae­tor­ius, 1609; har­mo­ny by George R. Wood­ward, 1910 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know who did the Eng­lish trans­la­tion, would you ?

portrait
Michael Praetorius
1571–1621

Lyrics

All praise to Thee, eternal Lord,
Clothed in a garb of flesh and blood;
Choosing a manger for Thy throne,
While worlds on worlds are Thine alone.

Once did the skies before Thee bow;
A virgin’s arms contain Thee now,
While angels, who in Thee rejoice,
Now listen for Thine infant voice.

A little child, Thou art our guest,
That weary ones in Thee may rest;
Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth;
That we may rise to Heaven from earth.

Thou comest in the darksome night
To make us children of the light;
To make us, in the realms divine,
Like Thine own angels round Thee shine.

All this for us Thy love hath done;
By this to Thee our love is won;
For this we tune our cheerful lays,
And sing our thanks in ceaseless praise.

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Nativity
Hans Baldung
1484–1545