When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Matthew 2:10
Words: William C. Dix, 1856. He wrote this hymn on the day of the Epiphany, while sick in bed. It was first published in his Hymns of Love and Joy.
Music: Dix Konrad Kocher, Stimmen aus dem Reiche Gottes, 1838 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you have access to a better photo of Dix,
Sir Roundell Palmer, later Lord Selborne, gave a paper in 1866 to the Church Congress on
English Church Hymnody.He closed his paper with the words,I may be permitted to say, that the most favorable hopes may be entertained of the future prospects of British Hymnody, when among its most recent fruits is a work so admirable in every respect as the Epiphany Hymn of Mr. Chatterton Dix.Harvey, p. 20
As with gladness, men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward, beaming bright
So, most glorious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed
There to bend the knee before
Him whom Heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly king.
Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
In the heavenly country bright,
Need they no created light;
Thou its light, its joy, its crown,
Thou its sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our king!
