FROM HEAVEN ABOVE TO EARTH I COME

[1]
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 mother mild;
this little child, of lowly birth,
shall be the joy of all your earth.

[3]
'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.

[4]
Welcome to earth, thou noble guest,
through whom we wicked men are blest:
thou com'st to share our misery;
what can we render, Lord, to thee?

[5]
Were earth a thousand times as fair,
beset with gold and jewe1s rare,
she yet were far too poor to be
a narrow cradle, Lord, for 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 pious mirth
a glad new year to all the earth.