Special and chosen sermons of D. Martin Luther collected out of his writings and…

YE have often times heard this history before, and must hear it still both this year, and every year, though to sluggish & drowsy Christians, that are soon weary and cloyed with good things, the same peradventure may seem tedious. But to them that are endued with true faith, it always cometh again as new. For the holy Ghost can speak so diversly of one thing, that to them which be his, it always seemeth new. Moreover we might speak at large of this history, for it is very full of matter, if we should not want time, and if it were not perilous least we should somewhere stray from the purpose: Nevertheless we will entreat somewhat thereof, as God shall permit. Ye have already heard in the text, how the Angel him self expresseth all this history, giving us to understand, that the same is published for our cause: and that the fruit thereof doth redound and appertain to us only, and is wrought to our salvation. And therefore the Angel speaking to the shepherds, saith in these words: Be not afraid, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be unto all people, that is, that unto you is borne this day in the city of David a Saviour, which ⟨p. 4⟩is Christ the Lord. ¹Here is declared first, that his nativity doth pertain unto us, when he saith: unto you is borne a Saviour. For the Lord Christ came not for his own cause only, but that he might help and succour us. Wherefore let us most diligently endeavour, that we believe the Angel, and we shall enjoy the whole benefit. I have heretofore oftentimes said, that the Gospel preacheth nothing else but faith, that the Angel also here doth, and this must all preachers do, otherwise they be not true ministers. For the Angel was here a beginning and example to all preachers. Now we must in this place speak of a double nativity, namely of our own and of Christs. But before I begin to entreat hereof, I will handle the history briefly, that ye may lay it up in your hart, and may be partakers of the joy which the Angel here bringeth. First therefore the Evangelist saith:

YE haue often tymes heard this history before, and must heare it still both this yeare, and euery yeare, though to sluggish & drousie Christians, that are soone weary and cloyed with good things, the same peraduenture may seeme tedious. But to them that are endued with true faith, it alwaies commeth againe as newe. For the holy Ghost can speake so diuersly of one thing, that to them which be his, it alwayes seemeth newe. Moreouer we might speake at large of this historie, for it is very full of matter, if we shoulde not want tyme, and if it were not perillous least we shoulde somewhere straye from the purpose: Neuertheles we will entreate somewhat thereof, as God shall permit. Ye haue already heard in the text, how the Angell him selfe expresseth all this history, giuing vs to vnderstand, that the same is published for our cause: and that the frute thereof doth redounde and appertaine to vs onely, and is wrought to our saluation. And therefore the Angell speaking to the shepeheards, sayth in these wordes: Be not afraide, behold, I bringe you tydings of great ioy which shall be vnto all people, that is, that vnto you is borne this day in the city of Dauid a Sauiour, which