386. As with gladness men of old

Author: William C Dix 1837-98

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 your splendour see.

2. As with joyful steps they sped,
Saviour, to your lowly bed,
there to bend the knee before
Christ whom heaven and earth adore:
so with ever-quickening pace
may we seek your throne of grace.

3. As they offered gifts most rare
at your cradle plain and bare,
so may we, with holy joy
pure and free from sin’s alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to you, 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 your glory hide.

5. In the heavenly city bright
need they no created light-
you its light, its joy, its crown,
you its sun which goes not down;
there for ever may we sing
hallelujahs to our King.