As with gladness, men of old
Did
the guiding star behold
As
with joy they hailed its light
Leading
onward, beaming bright
So,
most glorious Lord, may we
Evermore
be led to Thee.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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
forever may we sing
Alleluias
to our King!