Scripture Verse

They found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors. Luke 2:46

Introduction

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Jesus Teaches the Teachers

Words: James R. Woodford, 1863.

Music: Fran­co­nia (Kö­nig), in Har­mo­nisch­er Lied­er-Schatz, by Jo­hann B. Kö­nig (Frank­furt, Ger­ma­ny: 1738), har­mo­nized in Old Church Psal­mo­dy, by Will­iam H. Ha­ver­gal, 1847 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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James R. Woodford (1820–1885)
National Portrait Gallery

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Lyrics

Within the Fa­ther’s house
The Son hath found His home;
And to His temple suddenly
The Lord of Life hath come.

The doctors of the law
Gaze on the wondrous child,
And marvel at His gracious words
Of wisdom undefiled.

Yet not to them is giv’n
The mighty truth to know,
To lift the fleshly veil which hides
Incarnate God below.

The secret of the Lord
Escapes each human eye,
And faithful pondering hearts await
The full epiphany.

Lord, visit Thou our souls,
And teach us by Thy grace
Each dim revealing of Thy­self
With loving awe to trace;

Till from our darkened sight
The cloud shall pass away,
And on the cleansèd soul shall burst
The ev­er­last­ing day.

Till we behold Thy face,
And know, as we are known,
Thee, Fa­ther, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Co-equal Three in One.