From Heaven Above, ELW 268
Devotion
The text for today's hymn cannot be published due to copyright limitations. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Yesterday's devotion noted how the Christmas season has inspired poets and musicians from the earliest days to lead the Christian community in contemplation of the wonder of the birth of Christ-child. Martin Luther is well-known as one who recognized that good hymns and good singing could be an effective medium of teaching the central truths of our faith.
In this hymn—all fourteen verses of this hymnal edition!—he lays out the good news of the "tidings of great joy" that echo the angels song at Bethlehem. Through word and image the hymn seeks to make sure that the good news does not remain only a matter of information, but that the manger of the holy child born to Mary may reach to transform our hearts into a "bed, soft, undefiled," a "quiet chamber" in which this Christ-child may continue to dwell.
Prayer
O God of Blessing, we pray that this child of wonder, born in a manger in Bethlehem, may be born again today in us; that our hearts may be prepared to receive such a gracious treasure, and that with the shepherds we may return to tell the story of such great Love. Amen.