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Christoph von Schmid was ordained as a prest in 1791 and served in several parishes before being named the head of a large school in Thannhausen. Christoph von Schmid is considered one of the pioneer writer of books and songs for children. His earliest book was First Lessons about God for the Little Ones, written in words of one syllable. His stories have been translated into twenty-four languages, and to this day he is regarded in Germany as the prince of story-writers for the young.

Ihr Kinderlein Kommet (Oh Come, Little Children)
Words by Christoph von Schmid, 1794 , translated from the German by Melanie Schulte (1885-1922). Music by Johann A. P. Schulz (1747-1800)
 

Ihr Kinderlein kommet,
O kommet doch all.
Zur Krippe her kommet
in Bethlehems Stall.
Und seht, was in dieser
hochheiligen Nacht
Der Vater im Himmel
für Freude uns macht.

O seht, in der Krippe
im nächtlichen Stall,
Seht hier bei des Lichtleins
hellglänzendem Strahl
In reinlichen Windeln
das himmlische Kind,
Viel schöner und holder
als Engelein sind.

Da liegt es, das Kindlein,
auf Heu und auf Stroh.
Maria und Josef
betrachten es froh.
Die redlichen Hirten
stehn betend davor.
Hoch oben schwebt jubelnd
der Engelein Chor.

Oh come, little children,
Oh come one and all,
To Bethlehem’s stable,
In Bethlehem’s stall,
And see with rejoicing
This glorious sight,
Our Father in Heaven
Has sent us this night.

Oh, see in the manger,
In hallowed light
A star throws its beam
On this holiest sight.
In clean swaddling clothes
Lies the Heavenly Child,
More lovely than angels
This baby so mild.

Oh, there lies the Christ child
On hay and on straw;
The shepherds are kneeling
Before Him with awe.
And Mary and Joseph
Smile on Him with love,
While angels are singing
Sweet songs from above.


Max Kade German-American Center
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
401 East Michigan Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 464-9004 Office
(317) 630-0035 Fax

Created: 4 December 2005, SJS
Updated: 16 February 2007, BAS
Comments to: IUPUI Max Kade German-American Center, mkgac@iupui.edu
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