VOM HIMMEL HOCH
Initially Luther used the folk melody associated with his first stanza as the tune for this hymn. Later he composed this new tune for his text. VOM HIMMEL HOCH was first published in Valentin Schumann’s Geistliche Liederm 1539. Johann S. Bach (PHH 7) used Luther’s melody in three places in his well-known and loved Christmas Oratorio. VOM HIMMEL HOCH is a simple but spritely melody. Try having either a soloist (with an angelic voice) or a small choir, in harmony and unaccompanied, sing stanzas 1-4. The entire group or congregation could then sing stanza 5 in unison. Add strong accompa niment, possibly using one of the elaborate Bach harmonizations. [Liturgical Use] Christmas Day worship service; Christmas festival of lessons and carols, especially with the dramatic performance style Luther intended (suggested above); church school programs.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Angelic proclamation of Christ's birth → identification of Jesus as God's Son sent for salvation → human response of welcome and personal surrender