"To Shepherds as They Watched by Night"

                   by Martin Luther, 1483-1546

                                Text From:

                      THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL

        (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)







        1. To shepherds as they watched by night

        Appeared a host of angels bright;

        Behold the tender Babe, they said,

        In yonder lowly manger laid.



        2. At Bethlehem, in David's town,

        As Micah did of old make known;

        'Tis Jesus Christ, your Lord and King,

        Who doth to all salvation bring.



        3. Oh, then rejoice that through His Son

        God is with sinners now at one;

        Made like yourselves of flesh and blood,

        Your brother is the eternal God.



        4. What harm can sin and death then do?

        The true God now abides with you.

        Let hell and Satan rage and chafe,

        Christ is your Brother--ye are safe.



        5. Not one He will or can forsake

        Who Him his confidence doth make.

        Let all his wiles the Tempter try,

        You may his utmost powers defy.



        6. Ye shall and must at last prevail;

        God's own ye are, ye cannnot fail.

        To God forever sing your praise

        With joy and patience all your days.



        


        Notes:

        Hymn 103 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_

        Text: Luke 2: 10, 11

        Author: Martin Luther, 1543

        Translated by: Richard Massie, 1854, alt.

        Titled: Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar

        Tune: Puer nobis nascitur

        1st Published in: "Musae Sioniae," VI 1609


           

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