Advent 2024: Tue 10 Dec
Vom himmel hoch
We move from Austria to Germany. The Reformer Martin Luther wrote a children’s song for Christmas – From highest heaven I come to earth.
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (from the second illuminated capital): (images may appear at the end of the message in some mail systems)
Here are some selected verses from a translation by Catherine Winkworth (in 1855) of the fifteen verses Luther wrote. You may see in them strands that were picked up by later hymn-writers. The angel announces the Good News to the shepherds:
1. From heaven above to earth I come
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing:
2. To you this night is born a child
Of Mary, chosen virgin mild;
This little child, of lowly birth,
Shall be the joy of all the earth.
3. This is the Christ, our God and Lord,
Who in all need shall aid afford;
He will Himself your Saviour be
From all your sins to set you free.
6. Now let us all with gladsome cheer
Go with the shepherds and draw near
To see the precious gift of God,
Who hath His own dear Son bestowed.
7. Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!
What 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 the sinful world is blest!
Thou com’st to share my misery;
What thanks shall I return to Thee?
10. Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
It yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.
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.
15. Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto us His Son hath given!
While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad new year to all the earth.
This is a simple and non-sentimental devotional hymn intended for children. The translator has lost some of its directness through using adult and religious language, but we can still discern the intention of the original writer. Come as a child with me to Bethlehem to see this precious gift. To my mind this carol is a far cry from the rather patronising nature of the children’s carol that found its way into the Nine Lessons and Carols service:
From Hymns for Little Children, 1850, by Mrs Cecil Frances Alexander.
Vom Himmel Hoch:
Paul