From Out of the "Carol Barrel" - #1

One of the great things about Christmas is singing traditional Carols that we have grown to love over the years (and no, I don't mean Frosty the Snowman!). But did you know there were more than the 15 or so carols in your hymnbook? I thought I would post a few lesser known, but excellent carols as we approach the 25th. I will try to include a possible hymn tune as well.
One great advantage of singing unknown carols is that they grab our attention in a new way. Hopefully, some of these will become favourites for you in the coming years!

This first carol was written by Martin Luther and can be sung to OLD HUNDREDTH (the Doxology). I have modernized some of the terminology and changed the older English for more common usage. I think Luther would be okay with that!

Ponder these great words!

All Praise to You, Eternal Lord
All praise to You, Eternal Lord,
Clothed in a garb of flesh and blood;
Choosing a manger for Your throne,
While worlds on worlds are Yours alone.

Once did the skies before You bow;
A Virgin's arms contain You now:
Angels, who did in You rejoice,
Now listen for Your infant voice.

A little Child, You are our Guest,
That weary ones in You may rest;
Forlorn and lowly is Your birth,
That we may rise to heav'n from earth.

You come to us in darkest night
To make us children of the light,
To make us, in the realms divine,
Like Your own angels round You shine.

All this for us Your love has done;
By this, to You, our love is won:
For this we sing our joyful songs,
The shout of thanks to You belongs.

Words: Martin Luther, 1535 (Gelobet seist du Jesu Christ); translated from German to English by an unknown author in the Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858. Altered by Paul W. Martin.

Look for more in the coming days!