This is the Christ

This hymn is a Martin Luther text he wrote as a meditation for advent. Sandra McCracken wrote a beautifully tune for it and put it on her album In Feast or Fallow. As I listened to it, I was encouraged, and thought it was helpful to begin thinking about Jesus' incarnation even though it is only October. I also thought it is fitting since it almost Reformation Day, maybe it would be good to think about a Martin Luther text other than A Mighty Fortress is Our God, although that hymn is quite amazing. The hymn is about advent, but it touches on the broad scope of the story of Christ and our redemption. Read and enjoy.

good news from heaven the angels bring,

glad tidings to the earth they sing

to us this day a child is given

to crown us with the joy of heaven

Refrain:

this is the Christ, our God and Lord

who in all need shall aid afford

he will himself our savior be

and from our sins will set us free

all hail, thou noble guest this morn

whose love did not the sinner scorn

in my distress thou come’st to me

what thanks shall i return to thee?

were earth a thousand times as fair

beset with gold and jewels rare

she yet were far too poor to be

a narrow cradle, Lord, for thee...

praise God upon his heavenly throne

who gave to us his only son

for this his hosts on joyful wing

a blest New Year of mercy sing.