RIGHTEST and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid; Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid.
Cold on His cradle the dew-drops are shining, Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore Him in slumber, reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all.
Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
Odours of Edom and offerings divine?
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?
Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favour secure ;
Richer by far is the heart's adoration,
Dearer to God are the prayers
of the poor.
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid.
LEST are the pure in heart,
For they shall see our God;
The secret of the Lord is theirs,
Their soul is Christ's abode.
The Lord, who left the heavens
Our life and peace to bring,
To dwell in lowliness with men,
Their Pattern and their King;
He to the lowly soul
Doth still Himself impart,
And for His cradle and His throne
Chooseth the pure in heart.
Lord, we Thy presence seek;
May ours this blessing be;
Give us a pure and lowly heart,
A temple meet for Thee.
WOW brightly beams the morning star!
What sudden radiance from afar
Doth glad us with its shining!
Brightness of God, that breaks our night
And fills the darkened souls with light
Who long for truth were pining!
Thy word, Jesu,
Inly feeds us,
Rightly leads us,
Praise, oh praise such love o'erflowing!
Thou here my Comfort, there my Crown,
Thou King of heaven, Who camest down
To dwell as man beside me,
My heart doth praise Thee o'er and o'er;
If Thou art mine, I ask no more,
Be wealth or fame denied me:
Thee I seek now;
None who proves Thee,
None who loves Thee
Finds Thee fail him :
Lord of Life, Thy powers avail him.
Oh! praise to Him Who came to save,
Who conquered death and burst the grave!
Each day new praise resoundeth
To Him the Lamb Who once was slain,
The Friend Whom none shall trust in vain,
Whose grace for aye aboundeth.
Sing, ye heavens,
Tell the story
Of His glory,
Till His praises
Flood with light earth's darkest places!
S 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 to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger-bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy 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 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.
HAIL to the Lord's Anointed
Great David's greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free,
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.
Kings shall fall down before Him
And gold and incense bring;
All nations shall adore Him,
His praise all people sing;
For He shall have dominion
O'er river, sea, and shore,
Far as the eagle's pinion
Or dove's light wing can soar.
To Him shall prayer unceasing
And daily vows ascend,
His kingdom still increasing,
A kingdom without end:
The mountain dews shall nourish
A seed, in weakness sown,
Whose fruit shall spread and flourish,
And shake like Lebanon.
O'er every foe victorious
He on His throne shall rest,
From age to age more glorious,
All-blessing and all-blessed :
The tide of time shall never
His covenant remove;
His Name shall stand for ever,
His great, best Name of Love.
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