13		LM
	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 your earth.
3	These are the tokens ye shall mark: The swaddling clothes and manger dark; There ye shall find the Infant laid By Whom the heavens and earth were made.
4	’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.
5	Welcome to earth, Thou noble guest, Through Whom the sinful world is blest! You come to share my misery: What thanks shall I return to Thee?
6	Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled, Within my heart, that it may be A quiet chamber kept for Thee.
7	My heart for very joy doth leap: My lips no more can silence keep; I too must raise with joyful tongue That sweetest, ancient cradle song—
8	‘Glory to God in highest Heaven, Who unto man His Son hath given!’ While angels sing with holy mirth A glad new year to all the earth.
	Martin Luther, 1483-1546, tr Catherine Winkworth, 1827-78