Der uns schenkt seinen ein’gen
Sohn! Des freuen sich der Engel Schar
Und singen uns solch neues Jahr.
This children’s Christmas carol, based on the second chapter of Luke, was written by Martin Luther for his little son Hans for the Christmas celebration in his own home, 1534. Luther’s instructions were that the first seven verses were to be sung by a man dressed as an angel, whereupon the children would greet him with the singing of verses eight to fifteen. The present hymn is a selection of stanzas 1, 2, 3, 8, 13, and 15.
For comments on the translator, Miss Winkworth, see [Hymn 236].
MUSIC. VOM HIMMEL HOCH, also by Luther, was early associated with the words of the carol and has become one of the best known chorales. J. S. Bach made several settings of the tune, one of them in his Christmas Oratorio.
NEW YEAR
528. For Thy mercy and Thy grace
H. Downton, 1818-85
Originally in seven stanzas, this hymn was first published, 1843, in the Church of England Magazine, under the title, “A Hymn for the Commencement of the Year.” It is a first-rate quality hymn for the New Year.