Hi First Presbyterian,

I'm out of town with my family for the holiday, so I scheduled in advance our Mid-Week Meet-Up to be sent to you. I want to share with you a little known Christmas hymn that was written in German by Martin Luther in 1535 and translated into English by Arthur T. Russel in 1848. It's called "Good News from Heaven the Angels Bring."

Good news from heav'n the angels bring,
Glad tidings to the earth they sing:
To us this day a Child is giv'n,
To crown us with the joy of heav'n.

This is the Christ, our God and Lord,
Who in all need shall aid afford;
He will Himself our Saviour 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 com'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.

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept 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.

Have a merry Christmastide and a happy new year!

Pastor Neff