Martin Luther

Martin Luther was 42 years old when he married a former nun.  A year later a son, Hans, was born to them.  Luther was devoted to his son.  Five years later he wrote this Christmas carol for him.  Luther called it "A Christmas Child's Song Concerning the Christ Jesus."  It was sung each year during Christmas Eve festivities at the Luther home.

For over 500 years, this song has been one of Lutheranism's greatest carols, delighting children today just as it thrilled little Hans in the sixth century.  The story I've shared was paraphrased from the book Then Sings My Soul: Book 2 by Robert J. Morgan.  Luther's hymn follows.

From heav'n above to earth I come,

To bear good news to every home;

Glad tidings of great joy I bring,

Where of I now will say and sing.

To you, this night, is born a Child

Of Mary, chosen mother mild;

This tender Child of lowly birth,

Shall be the joy of all your earth.

'Tis Christ our God, who far on high

Had heard your sad and bitter cry'

Himself will your Salvation be,

Himself from sin will make you free.

These are the tokens ye shall mark,

The swaddling clothes and manager dark; 

There shall ye find the young Child laid,

By Whom the heav'ns and earth were made.

"From Heaven Above to Earth I Come"

by Martin Luther, translated by Catherine Windworth

The study of how the Luthers celebrated Christmas in the sixth century adds a sense of continuity, connection, and stability to our celebration in the twenty-first century.  The focus was, is, and always shall be on the birth of the Christ-child: God-man, deity, God in human flesh, God's most precious gift to man.

May we celebrate the legacy from past generations and likewise leave a memorable history that future generations will treasure and find a blessing.