If Christ Had Come With Trumpets Sounding
                    Excerpt from the Sermon on Luke 2:1-14
                       At Noon on Christmas Day of 1530
                          by Martin Luther, 1483-1546
                      Translated by Rev. Robert E. Smith
                  From: _Dr. Martin Luthers Kirchen-Postille:
                  Epistel=Teil, nebst vermischten Predigten_
        (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, N.D.), vol. 12, col. 1661

 A Wonderful thing happened [when the angel announced this birth to the
 shepherds]. All of this occurred, to present this birth to us with tender,
 loving care and to attract hearts to it, so that these hearts might love
 Christ. 

 If this birth had been proclaimed to the nobles of this world; If the
 shepherds had measured themselves against the standard of these important
 fellows; If the shepherds had compared to royal wisdom and wealth, they would
 have been afraid, because power frightens and wisdom intimidates people. 

 If Christ had come with trumpets sounding; If he had a cradle of gold, His
 birth would have been a stately thing. But it wouldn't comfort me. So, He had
 to lay in a poor girl's lap and be scarcely noticed by the world. In that lap I
 can come to see Him; In this way He now reveals Himself to the distressed.

 Yes, He would've had greater fame, if He'd have come in great power, splendor,
 wisdom and high class. Yet, He will come some day, in another way, when He
 comes to oppose the great nobles. But now He comes to the poor, who need a
 Savior. Then He will come as judge to oppose those who oppress the poor now.

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 This text was translated for Project Wittenberg by Rev. Robert E. Smith and is
 placed by him in the public domain.  You may freely distribute, copy or print
 this text.  Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith
 of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.
       
                        E-mail: cosmithb@ash.palni.edu
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