Am Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen,
Wie glänzt er festlich, lieb und mild,
Als spräch' er: "Wollt in mir erkennen
Getreuer Hoffnung stilles Bild."
Die Kinder stehn mit hellen Blicken,
Das Auge lacht, es lacht das Herz,
O fröhlich, seliges Entzücken,
Die Alten schauen himmelwärts.
Zwei Engel sind hereingetreten,
Kein Auge hat sie kommen sehn,
Sie gehn zum Weihnachtsbaum und beten
Und wenden wieder sich und gehn.
"Gesegnet seid ihr alten Leute,
Gesegnet sei du kleine Schar !
Wir bringen Gottes Gaben heute
Dem braunen wie dem weißen Haar !"
"Zu guten Menschen, die sich lieben,
Schickt uns der Herr als Boten aus,
Und seid ihr treu und fromm geblieben,
Wir treten wieder in dies Haus !"
Kein Ohr hat ihren Spruch vernommen
Unsichtbar jedes Menschen Blick
Sind sie gegangen wie gekommen,
Doch Gottes Segen bleibt zurück.
| With lighted candles the Christmas tree is
A glorious sight for us to behold.
It speaks to us and it says: "In me is
True hope and faith for young and old.
The children with all their glowing faces
Gladden our hearts and cheer our sight.
What gay delight in the elders' gazes
With eyes upturned on this holy night.
Two angels enter the room unseen and
No eye beholds them standing there.
They say a prayer and then near the tree stand
Before they turn and leave us here.
"All you be blessed, yes, every old one
And you small flock, also be blessed.
God's gift is withheld this day from no one,
Be your head brown or white hair tressed.
To all good people that love another,
As messengers from the Lord we came.
And if you stay him faithful and pious
We will return to this house again."
No single ear heard a whisper spoken
And every human eye was blind.
They came and then went, leaving the token
Of God's great love and blessing behind.
|
The Christmas tree, with its candles gleaming,
A glow is kindling in all our hearts.
It speaks of God's pure love-light streaming;
It brings us hope, and joy imparts.
The children stand round the glitt-ring treasure,
Their eyes are sparkling, their spirits bright.
O sweet reminder of love's full measure,
Our shining symbol of heav'nly light!
For ev'ry heart, you offer blessing,
For ev'ry parent as well as child;
For young and old, your beacons beck'ning
Lead us to Jesus, sweet and mild.
|
Information
MIDI sequenced by Mary Tipton
first translation by Frank Petersohn
at the Volkslieder site.
second translation by George K. Evans
from The International Book of Christmas Carols
| |
