236		LM
	‘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.
2	‘These are the tokens you shall mark: The swaddling clothes and manger dark; There you shall find the infant laid By Whom the heavens and earth were made.
3	‘Tis Christ our God, Who far on high Has heard your sad and bitter cry; He will your sure salvation be; He from your sin will make you free.’
4	Welcome to earth, Thou noble guest, Through Whom the sinful world is blest! Here come to share my misery! What thanks shall I return to Thee?
5	This happy heart for joy shall leap, My lips no more will silence keep: I too must raise with joyful tongue That sweetest, ancient cradle song—
6	‘Glory to God in highest Heaven, Who unto man His Son has given!’ With all my heart I’ll join the throng Of those who understand this song.
	Martin Luther, 1483-1546, tr Catherine Winkworth, 1827-78