Who: This is another hymn translated by Emmanuel Cronenwett, meant to be a dialogue between a child and someone else, and Cronenwett gives it the title of a "Christmas Catechism" for its Q and A style.
Changes: Mostly just updates here and there in language, with the exception of verse two.
Tune: Since it's meant to be a children's carol, I suggest to sing this to "
VOM HIMMEL HOCH," although that tune is used way too often. The meter is LM, so there are definitely options.
Dear child, you seem so glad today
Oh, I am glad in ev'ry way!
Tell me your special joy this morn.
Today my Savior, Christ, was born.
This just has happened, said you so?
Oh, no! Two thousand years ago.
Where were these tidings first made known?
At Bethlehem, in David's town.
To whom was first told this delight?
To shepherds, by an angel bright.
And was this joy but for those there?
No, for all people ev'rywhere.
What said the angel of the Lord?
An ever great and blissful word.
What was it? Tell me now, I pray!
To you is born the Christ this day!
The Christ! Whom mean you by this word?
God's only Son, our blessed Lord.
And for what reason was He born?
To seek and save all those forlorn.
Who was forlorn and lost, d'you know?
We sinners, as the Law does show.
May we this Gospel then believe?
Yes, Jesus sinners doth receive.
Will Jesus also bear with me?
Yes, He bore your guilt upon the tree.
And will I then be saved, oh say!
With Christ you then shall be alway.
Mein Kind du bist ja heut so froh
Anonymous
tr. Emmanuel Cronenwett, alt.
