As with gladness men of old
did the guiding star behold,
as with joy they hailed its light,
leading onward, beaming bright,
so, most gracious Lord, may we
evermore be led by thee.
As with joyful steps they sped,
Savior, to thy lowly bed,
there to bend the knee before
thee, whom heav’n and earth adore,
so may we with willing feet
ever seek thy mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare
at thy cradle, 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 heav’nly King.
Holy Jesus, ev’ry 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 heav’nly 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!
W. Chatterton Dix, 1859
Read Isaiah 60:1-6
This Christmas hymn is new to me, but it calls us to follow the example of the wise men, specifically their joy and intrepid journey to worship the King. They brought gifts at great sacrifice and worship should mean sacrifice on our part. It is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1). But it also looks forward to the day when we see Christ, just as the wise men did.