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

They which seek any other thing, and use not this nativity, are in a desperate case, as ye have heard. Which ye have very well expressed in this song, the author whereof whosoever he was, did nothing err from the purpose, to wit, that the only child Christ is our comfort. Which words surely are of very great importance, and deserve most diligently to be weighed. For ye did sing after this sort: A child highly to be praised is borne unto us this day of a chaste virgin, to the comfort of us wretches. If that child had not bin borne, we had perished all. Is it not said here, that there is no comfort beside only Christ? which in deed is most true. Without doubt the holy Ghost taught him that made this song to singe after this sort. If the case stand thus, it followeth that Monks, Nuns, Sacrificing Priests, and all which leave this child, and seek to come to heaven by other ways and works, be condemned. For such say that they need not this child, otherwise they would confess, that their own works be nothing ⟨p. 12⟩worth. These therefore do nothing but deceive and seduce, of whom mens harts are procured to depart from Christ, and are led away unto Satan. In the aforesaid song is contained moreover: He is the salvation of us all, oh sweet Jesus Christ, forasmuch as thou art borne man, defend us from hell. I greatly desire that ye did well understand this. It is sung abroad every where, but there is none that throughly believeth it. Whereupon it cometh that some do oppugn these things, especially they, which know, sing, and babble very much of them, that truly I fear, that Christ is never more blasphemed, then at this feast of his nativity, and at other great feasts, that it should be no marvel, if, when he is so blasphemed, he should suffer the whole world to be swallowed up: but the last day is at hand. Wherefore endeavour that ye may sound this excellent song in your hart, and as ye sing it in mouth, so ye may also believe it.

They which seeke any other thing, and vse not this natiuitie, are in a desperat case, as ye haue heard. Which ye haue very wel expressed in this songe, the author whereof whosoeuer he was, did nothing erre from the purpose, to witte, that the onely childe Christ is our comfort. Which wordes surely are of very great importance, and deserue most diligently to be weyed. For ye did sing after this sort: A child highly to be praysed is borne vnto vs this day of a chast virgin, to the comfort of vs wretches. If that child had not bin borne, we had perished all. Is it not sayd here, that there is no comfort beside only Christ? which in deed is most true. Without dout the holy Ghost taught him that made this song to singe after this sort. If the case stand thus, it followeth that Monkes, Nunnes, Sacrificing Priestes, and all which leaue this child, and seeke to come to heauen by other wayes and works, be cōdemned. For such say that they neede not this child, otherwise they woulde confesse, that their owne workes be nothing