A Family Celebration

“I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”—Luke 2:10 KJV

Martin Luther believed Christmas should be a family event. He composed the hymn “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” to be part of his family’s Christmas pageant and to help teach his children about Christmas.

Each year, family members would dress up in appropriate costumes and sing and recite this pageant. We can imagine Luther’s children experiencing the story in a personal way, even asking their parents about the meaning of events while the entire family joined in the hymn’s closing doxology, “Glory to God in the highest heaven!”

Luther’s hymn reminded them that the angel Gabriel had come to bring the Good News. Jesus’ birth brought joy to the earth. This baby was the Christ, come to be our Savior and set us free.

It was a miracle that our Savior would so humble Himself and lay His head “where lowly cattle lately fed.” The whole event was designed to help everyone understand the “simple truth” that “worldly honor, wealth, and might are weak and worthless in your sight.”

Luther wanted his children to know that this was an event of personal importance. Jesus prepared a place for each child. His birth was for us to celebrate, singing for joy.

Luther’s dedication reminds us that Jesus’ birth should be celebrated in the home and be a family event—reading and telling the Bible stories, times of family prayers, discussion, and sharing the Good News.

Reflection Question: How does your family celebrate Jesus’ birth?