2. From where the eastern day spring shines, Blest Author of an endless age, Who took man's form and bore man's rage, That through His flesh, He flesh might save, Nor lose what He its being gave. The overshadowing power of GOD, She to her breast most pure did hold Whose presence, when her voice was heard, With joy His unborn Herald stirred. With straw a manger rudely spread, Yet choirs of Heaven high anthems sung, Jesu! the Virgin-born, to Thee, And Both with the good Spirit one, Be honors everlasting done. THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH. Hymns for Epiphany. 1. Why cruel Herod dost thou fear The Magi came upon their way, And with their treasures, owned their GOD. 'Mid Jordan's waves the Saviour stood, And sinless sanctified the flood; So water by His glorious grace, From sin should wash our sinful race. Then water by His power divine, At Cana's marriage changed to wine, * Our own Church recognizes this three-fold manifestation, as commemorated at Epiphany. Oh Jesu! be Thou ever blest, 2. Chief 'mongst the cities of the plain, To witness to the Virgin birth, Of Christ the Lord from Heaven; O'er thee blazed forth that wondrous star, Than noon-day sun more bright, Telling to watchful lands afar, How God was man that night. Led on by this, the Magi see; Sabæan gums and glistening ore, The GoD and King disclose; And the dark tomb foreshows.* Jesu, to Thee all glory be, Who thus wert manifest, One in the Father's Unity, One with the Spirit blest. * Says St. Hilary: "The oblation of their gifts expressed an understanding of His entire nature; by gold confessing the King, by frankincense the God, by myrrh the Man. And thus through the means of their worship, was there in each of these the indication of a great sacrament. In Man of death; in God of Resurrection; in the King of Judgment.Quoted in Williams on the Nativity p. 137. IN HIM SHAll the GenTILES TRUST. |