Reformation Monday: From Heaven Above #268 ELW

From heaven above to earth I come

to bear good news to every home
Glad tidings of great joy I bring

to all the world, and gladly sing.

To you this night is born a child

of Mary, chosen virgin mild;

this newborn child of lowly birth

shall be the joy of all the earth 

These are the two opening verses to Martin Luther's Christmas hymn.  Like so many of Luther's hymns it is intended to teach.  By the time you  have sung all 14 verses, you know both the story of Jesus' birth but also Luther's particular interpretation of that event for the salvation of all creation. Here are two more verses to give you a flavor of his hymnody.

The blessing that the Father planned

the Son holds in his infant hand,

that in his kingdom, bright and fair,

you may with us his glory share.  v4

Ah dearest Jesus, holy child

prepare a bed, soft, undefiled,

a quiet chamber in my heart,

that you and I may never part.  v12

There are many old (16th century) German hymns in our current hymnal beyond our perrenial favorite  A Mighty Fortress is our God (based on psalm 46).  Luther authored 17 of them; Phillip Nicolai (a contemporary of Luther) wrote another three.  Most of these lack the catchy tune and lively meter of modern music but in the meat of their message is the core of Lutheran teaching.  

Luther used whatever means he had at hand to teach his flock about the love of God in Jesus and the gift of salvation through him.  We all know how a song can stick in your head until it drives you around the bend.  Although Luther's hymns might not rival pop music in this regard, it was probably his most effective teaching tool.  From Heaven Above is one of the easier ones to sing.

 Here are a couple I know: 

263 Savior of the Nations, Come:  a lovely Advent hymn

517 Lord keep us steadfast in your Word: a favorite of mine

784  Grant Peace, we pray, in Mercy, Lord:  a chant reminiscent of his time as a monk

Luther's hymns remind us that the words or text of the hymn is telling a story, teaching something important. Many are beautiful poetry worth lingering and pondering.   As you sing your  favorite Christmas hymns, give the words a little more attention. How has your understanding of the faith been shaped by the hymns that you sing?  How do they strengthen your spiritual life?.

Check these out in the ELW:  263, 268, 370, 395, 411, 440, 499, 503, 509, 517, 594, 600, 743, 746, 747, 784, 868