In Luther\u2019s day, the new year began with Christmas Day. In a way, that is very fitting since the incarnation of Christ means the beginning of the new creation which is granted to all who believe in Jesus as the Christ.<\/p>\n
As many are aware, Luther wrote hymns, not only because he was musically adept but chiefly because he wanted people to learn and live the faith, and song is a good medium so to do. From ancient times, meter and rhyme have provided a cadence for remembrance. In a day and an age when many could not read or write, learning through verse was effective, and still is today. Think of how easily an advertising jingle or the refrain of a pop song takes residence in our memories.<\/p>\n
Through the advent of the printing press and with the widespread ease and abundance of reference materials, multiplied exponentially today with the internet, modern people seem to have been significantly relieved of having to learn through memory. Some would question whether people today really learn much at all but rather parrot what they see on their smart phones. (Do smart phones make dumb people?)<\/p>\n
One of Luther\u2019s great Christmas songs is entitled Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her<\/em>, which I would translate as From Heaven above I Come Here<\/em>. Other translations of the same include From Heaven Above to Earth I Come<\/em> (Lutheran Service Book<\/em>, 358) and From Heaven on High I Come to You<\/em> as translated and printed in Luther\u2019s Works. The full translation of the latter is below.<\/p>\n From Heaven on High I Come to You<\/p>\n 1 From Heaven on high I come to you. 2 To you a child is come this morn, 3 It is the Lord Christ, our own God. 4 He brings you all the news so glad 5 Take heed then to the token sure, 6 Hence let us all be gladsome then, 7 Take note, my heart; see there! look low: 8 Welcome thou art, thou noble guest, 9 Ah Lord! the maker of us all! 10 Were the world wider many fold, 11 The silk and velvet that are thine, 12 And this hath therefore pleased thee 13 Dear little Jesus! in my shed, 14 And so I ever gladsome be, 15 Glory to God in highest heaven, So, if you were to write a song to tell others about Jesus\u2019 birth, life, death, or resurrection, how might it go? The Parish Rebuilder will publish in forthcoming editions song submissions of 5-15 verses edifying others about Jesus. So, open your Bibles, put on your thinking caps, find your creative crayons or keyboard, and send submit a song or two. Perhaps we could put some of them to music and sing them in church!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nI bring a story good and new;
\nOf goodly news so much I bring,
\nOf it I must both speak and sing.<\/p>\n
\nA child of holy maiden born,
\nA little babe so sweet and mild\u2014
\nYour joy and bliss shall be that child.<\/p>\n
\nHe will ease you of all your load;
\nHe will himself your Savior be,
\nAnd from all sinning set you free.<\/p>\n
\nWhich God the Father ready had\u2014
\nThat you shall in his heavenly house
\nLive now and evermore with us.<\/p>\n
\nThe crib, the swaddling clothes so poor;
\nThe infant you shall find laid there,
\nWho all the world doth hold and bear.<\/p>\n
\nAnd with the shepherd folk go in
\nTo see what God to us hath given,
\nWith his dear honored Son from heaven.<\/p>\n
\nWhat lies then in the manger so?
\nWhose is the lovely little child?
\nIt is the darling Jesus-child.<\/p>\n
\nWith sinners who dost lie and rest,
\nAnd com\u2019st into my misery!
\nHow thankful I must ever be!<\/p>\n
\nHow hast thou grown so poor and small,
\nThat there thou liest on withered grass,
\nThe supper of the ox and ass?<\/p>\n
\nAnd decked with gems and cloth of gold,
\n\u2019Twere far too mean and narrow all,
\nTo make for thee a cradle small.<\/p>\n
\nAre rough hay, linen not too fine,
\nYet, as they were thy kingdom great,
\nThou liest in them in royal state.<\/p>\n
\nThat thou this truth mightst make me see\u2014
\nHow all earth\u2019s power, show, good, combined,
\nHelps none, nor comforts thy meek mind.<\/p>\n
\nMake thee a soft, white little bed,
\nAnd rest thee in my heart\u2019s low shrine,
\nThat so my heart be always thine.<\/p>\n
\nReady to dance and sing to thee
\nThe lullaby thou lovest best,
\nWith heart exulting in its guest.<\/p>\n
\nWho his own Son to us hath given!
\nFor this the angel troop sings in
\nSuch a new year with gladsome din.
\n(Luther\u2019s Works<\/em>, 53:290-291)<\/p>\n