Scripture Verse

Where is He that is born King of the Jews? Matthew 2:2

Introduction

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Charles Wesley (1707–1788)

Words: Charles Wes­ley, Hymns for the Na­ti­vi­ty of Our Lord (Lon­don: Will­iam Stra­han, 1745), num­ber 17.

Music: Wood­worth Will­iam B. Brad­bu­ry, Men­dels­sohn Col­lect­ion, or Third Book of Psal­mo­dy (New York: 1849) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

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William B. Bradbury (1816–1868)

Lyrics

Where is the holy Heav’n-born child,
Heir of the ev­er­last­ing throne,
Who Heav’n and earth hath reconciled,
And God and man rejoined in one?

Shall we of earthly kings inquire,
To courts or palaces repair?
The nations’ hope, the world’s desire,
Alas! we cannot find Him there.

Shall learning show the sinner’s friend,
Or scribes a sight of Christ afford?
Us to His natal place they send,
But ne­ver go to see their Lord.

We search the outward Church in vain,
They cannot Him we seek declare,
They have not found the Son of Man,
Or known the sacred name they bear.

Then let us turn no more aside,
But use the light Himself imparts,
His Spi­rit is our surest guide,
His Spi­rit glimmering in our hearts.

Drawn by His grace we come from far,
And fix on Heav’n our wistful eyes,
That ray divine, that orient star
Directs us where the infant lies.

See there! the newborn Sav­ior see,
By faith discern the great I Am;
’Tis He! the eter­nal God! ’tis He
That bears the mild Immanuel’s name.

The Prince of Peace on earth is found,
The child is born, the son is giv’n;
Tell it to all the nations round,
Jehovah is come down from Heav’n!

Jehovah is come down to raise
His dying creatures from their fall,
And all may now receive the grace
Which brings eter­nal life to all.

Lord, we receive the grace and Thee,
With joy unspeakable receive,
And rise Thine open face to see,
And one with God for ever live.