The Only Son from Heaven

The only Son from Heaven,
Foretold by ancient seers,
By God, the Father, given,
In human shape appears;
No sphere His light confining,
No star so brightly shining
As He, our Morning Star.

O time of God appointed,
O bright and holy morn!
He comes, the King anointed,
The Christ, the virgin born;
His home on earth He maketh,
And man of Heaven partaketh,
Of life again an heir.

O Lord, our hearts awaken
To know and love Thee more,
In faith to stand unshaken,
In spirit to adore,
That we still heavenward hasting,
Yet here Thy joy foretasting,
May reap its fullness there.

Author: Martin Luther

Year: 1524

This is an English translation of Luther's German hymn "Der du bist drei in Einigkeit" (or more precisely the Christmas hymn "Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet" family, but standard attribution is to Martin Luther's 1524 text "Der einig Sohn vom Himmel"). Common in 19th-century hymnals under this title; primary alternate attribution is to translators such as Catherine Winkworth, but the original author is Luther.