In 1535 Martin Luther published a 15-verse hymn, “Vom Himmel hoch” (“From Heaven on High”), that he had written a year earlier, most likely for a Christmas celebration with his family.

(After King’s death, Jackson included the song on her album “Mahalia Jackson Sings the Best-Loved Hymns of Martin Luther King Jr.) “The song,” Howard says, “resonated with Dr. King.