Hymns of glory and of praise,
Father, now to Thee we raise ;
Praise to Thee, O Christ our King,
And the Holy Ghost, we sing. Amen.
WHAT star is this, with beams so bright,
A stranger 'midst the orbs of light?
It shines to herald forth the King,
Glad tidings of our God to bring.
See now fulfilled what God decreed-
"From Jacob shall a star proceed;"
And, lo! the Eastern sages stand
To read in heaven the Lord's command.
While outward signs the star displays
An inward light the Lord conveys,
And urges them with force benign
To seek the Giver of the sign.
True love can brook no dull delay,
Through toils and dangers lies their way;
And yet their home, their friends, their all,
They leave at once at God's high call.
O! while the star of heavenly grace
Invites us, Lord, to seek Thy face,
May we no more that grace repel,
Or quench that light which shines so well.
All glory, Jesu, be to Thee
For this Thy glad Epiphany;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.
GOD of mercy, God of grace,
Shew the brightness of Thy face;
Shine upon us, Saviour, shine,
Fill Thy Church with light divine;
And Thy saving health extend
Unto earth's remotest end.
Let the people praise Thee, Lord;
Heart and voice in sweet accord;
Let the nations shout and sing
Glory to their Saviour King;
At Thy feet their tribute pay,
And Thy holy will obey.
Let the people praise Thee, Lord;
Earth shall then her fruits afford;
God to man His blessing give,
Man to God devoted live;
All below, and all above,
One in joy, and light, and love. Amen.
HAIL, Thou Source of ev'ry blessing,
Sov'reign Father of mankind!
Gentiles now, Thy grace possessing,
In Thy courts admission find.
Grateful now we fall before Thee;
In Thy church obtain a place;
Now, by faith, behold Thy glory,
Praise Thy truth, and sing Thy grace."
Once far off, but now invited,
We approach Thy sacred throne ; In Thy covenant united,
Reconcil'd, redeem'd, made one.
Now reveal'd to Eastern sages
See the star of mercy shine!
Mystery hid in former ages,
Mystery great of love divine.
Hail, Thou ever blessed Saviour!
Gentiles now their off'rings bring;
In Thy temple seek Thy favour;
Worship Thee, their Lord and King.
May we all, sincere in spirit,
Live devoted to Thy praise; Glorious realms of bliss inherit; Grateful anthems ever raise.
JESU! behold the wise from far,
Led to Thy cradle by a star,
Bring gifts to Thee, their God and King!
O guide us by Thy light, that we
The way may find, and still to Thee
Our hearts, our all, for tribute bring!
Jesu! the pure, the spotless Lamb,
Who to the temple humbly came,
Duteous, the legal rites to pay!
O make our proud, our stubborn will, All Thy wise, gracious laws fulfil, Whate'er rebellious nature say!
Jesu! who by Thine own love slain,
By Thine own power took'st life again,
And conqueror from the grave didst rise,
O may Thy death our souls revive,
And e'en on earth a new life give,
A glorious life that never dies!
Jesu! who to Thy heaven again
Return'dst in triumph, there to reign
Of men and angels Sovereign King,
O may our parting souls take flight
Up to that land of joy and light,
And there for ever grateful sing!
All glory to the sacred Three,
One undivided Deity,
All honour, power, and love and praise!
Still may Thy blessed Name shine bright
In beams of uncreated light,
Crown'd with its own eternal rays! Amen.
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 God, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.
Holy Jesus, 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. Amen.
ARISE, O Lord, and shine
In all Thy saving might,
And prosper each design
To spread Thy glorious light;
Let healing streams of mercy flow,
That all the earth Thy truth may know.
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