Martin Luther (1483–1546)

BE praised, Christ Jesus, fervently,

For Thou a man hast deigned to be,

Born of a virgin: evermore

The angel hosts rejoicing soar.

Kyrieleis!

The everlasting Father’s Son

There in the manger lies—the One.

Disguised in our poor flesh and blood,

There lies the world’s eternal Good.

Kyrieleis!

In Mary’s lap He can repose

Whom the world’s sphere cannot enclose;

There as a little child is known

He who upholds all things alone.

Kyrieleis!

See the eternal glory stream

And give the world a bright, new gleam.

It shines in darkest, deepest night,

And makes us children of the light.

Kyrieleis!

The Father’s Son, of God-like kind,

A guest in this poor world we find;

He leads us from this vale of woe,

As heirs into His realm to go.

Kyrieleis!

And poor He came upon this earth,

In pity for our lack and dearth,

That we in heaven be rich through Him,

And like His blessèd cherubim.

Kyrieleis!

All this He hath done unto us,

To show His love so marvellous.

So let all Christians happy be,

And thank Him in eternity.

Kyrieleis!