For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11
Words: Christoph von Schmid, 1794 (Ihr Kinderlein, kommet, o kommet doch all). Translator unknown; appeared in the Sunday School Hymnal, English Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri (St. Louis, Missouri: Concordia Publishing House, 1912). Click here for more background information on the hymn.
Music: Ihr Kinderlein Kommet Johann A. P. Schulz, 1790 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Come hither, ye children,
O come one and all,
To Bethlehem haste,
To the manger so small;
God’s Son for a gift
Has been sent you this night
To be your Redeemer,
Your joy and delight.
He’s born in a stable
For you and for me,
Draw near by the bright
Gleaming starlight to see,
In swaddling clothes lying,
So meek and so mild,
And purer than angels—
The heavenly Child.
See Mary and Joseph
With love-beaming eyes
Are gazing upon
The rude bed where He lies;
The shepherds are kneeling,
With hearts full of love,
While angels sing loud
Hallelujahs above.
Kneel down and adore Him
With shepherds today,
Lift up little hands now
And praise Him as they;
Rejoice that a Savior
From sin you can boast,
And join in the song
Of the heavenly host.
O Jesus, my Savior,
What must not be done,
What must not be suffered
For sin to atone!
From infancy sorrow
And pain Thou must know
Till Thou on the cross
Tasteth death’s bitter woe.
Dear Christ child, what gifts
Can we children bestow,
By which our affection
And gladness to show?
No riches and treasures
Of value can be,
But hearts that believe
Are accepted with Thee.
Our hearts, then, to Thee
We will offer today,
We offer them gladly;
Accept them we pray,
And make them so spotless
And pure that we may
Abide in Thy presence
In Heaven for aye.