Scripture Verse

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1:9

Introduction

portrait
William W. Gilchrist
1846–1916

Words: Charles Cof­fin, Pa­ris Bre­vi­ary 1736 (Quae stel­la so­le pul­chri­or). Ano­ny­mous­ly trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish in The Church Hym­nal, by Will­iam Cooke & Will­iam Den­ton, 1853.

Music: Glad Day Will­iam W. Gil­christ, 1895 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Charles Coffin (1676–1749)

Lyrics

Hail the day, when in the sky
Shone the Day-spring from on high;
When the star from Hea­ven dis­played
Where the ho­ly Child was laid.

Onward mov­ing, that bright flame
Did the Sav­ior’s birth pro­claim;
And the Gen­tiles came to bring
Offerings to their in­fant king.

Lord of glo­ry, may Thy light
Shine upon our dark­ened sight,
Till it guide us to the rest
Where Thy peo­ple shall be blest.

May it light us on the road
Leading to the throne of God;
And our of­fer­ing then shall be
Hearts de­vot­ed, Lord, to Thee.

Hymns of glo­ry and of praise,
Father, un­to Thee we raise;
Praise to Thee, O Christ our king,
And the Holy Ghost, we sing.