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Christmastide Hymn: “As with Gladness Men of Old”
by Scott Gilbreath ~ January 4th, 2009
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” — St Matthew 2:10
This morning’s recessional hymn on The Second Sunday After Christmas at Christ Church, Windsor. Hymn #97 in The Book of Common Praise (1938), official hymn book for the whole of The Church of England in Canada (later Anglican Church of Canada).
As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold,
As with joy, they hailed in light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to thee.As with joyful steps they sped
Saviour, to thy lowly bed;
There to bend the knee before
Thee whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek the 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 Jesu, 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 for ever may we sing
Alleluias to our King.
Words: William Chatterton Dix, 1860.
Music: Dix, Konrad Kocher, 1838, adapted by William Henry Monk.
William Chatterton Dix wrote this hymn on the festival of Epiphany, 6 January, while sick in bed. During his lifetime, he wrote over 40 hymns, many for Christmas and Easter, including “What Child Is This”.
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