Let this mortal frame decay, 2 Since, at length, mine aged eye 186 Where is He that is born King of the Jews? Matt. ii. I WHAT star is this so strangely bright, To read in heaven the Lord's command: Children of faith they come; they find The Prince and Saviour of mankind. 3 They bless the meek and holy Child, An infant Lord, and Monarch mild: Their riches at His feet they pour, And with the heart their King adore. 4 O heavenly Lord, O holy Light, That shines through Nature's wondering night, What marvels in Thy love we trace, What power divine, what glorious grace! 5 And now, thou bright and morning star, Arise again, and shine afar From sea to sea, from shore to shore, Amen. 1 HAIL the day, when in the sky 2 Onward moving that bright flame 3 Lord of glory, may Thy light 5 Hymns of glory and of praise, All. All. All. AIL 1 THE ancient sages, led from far, Pressed on their doubtful, anxious way; Nor rested, till the blazing star Stood o'er the place where Jesus lay. 2 That star to us its light imparts; To Bethlehem haste, and worship too. May we through life its guidance trace, And mark its path o'er earthly things, Where Jesus reigns, the King of 3 Light of the world, true Light, arise, E 189 We are come to worship Him. Matt. ii. 1 WITH the shepherds, adoration Let us bring to our salvation, Jesus, hope of every nation: Fear ye not, the angels say: Flesh the King of glory taketh, His abode with us He maketh, And to festive praise awaketh Heaven upon His natal day. 2 With the eastern sages pouring At His feet their gifts, adoring, Thanks and praises let us sing. 190 Walk as children of light. Eph. v. 1 BRIGHT was the guiding star that led, With mild benignant ray, The Gentiles to the lowly shed Where earth's Redeemer lay. 2 But lo, a brighter, clearer light Now points to His abode; It shines through sin and sorrow's night 30 gladly tread the narrow path, While light and grace are given; 4 Praise we the Father and the Son, The God in whom we live alone, One God for evermore. 3 As they offered gifts most rare All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King. All. 4 Holy Jesus, every day Keep us in the narrow way; And when earthly things are past, All. All. 1 UP, up; new light upon thee breaks; Delay, my soul, no more: The star of morning bids thee rise 2 Go, quit thy country; seek thy rest In other lands afar; But ever keep thy wistful eyes Upon the morning star. 3 It calls thee to a better home, To joys untold, unpriced; 4 He is the branch of Jesse's stem, The rose of Sharon's mead; He is the very Lamb of God, And David's royal seed. PART II. 5 Up, up, my soul; thy Lord to seek Yet walk with careful heed, and ask 6 But chief consult the Word of God; It leads thee from the darkness forth 7 When thou hast found that holy Babe, To Him thy treasures yield, to Him 8 For He will speed thee on, fulfilled 9 He points to seats beyond the skies, 194 They presented unto Him gifts, gold, and frankincense and myrrh. Matt. ii. 10 BLESSED Babe divine, What offerings shall we give Thee? The gold of faith be Thine: For we will still believe Thee. O fill our eager hearts With Thy refreshing grace, And make them fit to be Thy chosen dwelling-place. 2 Let frankincense aspire, Pure sighs of sweetest savour, To find Thy gracious favour. 3 And myrrh too we prepare, The cross with Thee sustain 4 Lo, all of ours is Thine, Each hope and thought and feeling: Our dearest wishes tend: Through ages without end. 10 HEAVENLY Love, arise, arise, And shed abroad Thy saving ray, 2 As in the likeness of a star 3 So guide us, safe from Satan's snares: Where saints and harping Seraphim 2 Thongh by a star Thou dost not lead Thy servants now below, Yet Thy good Spirit, when they need, Will show them how to go. 3 Though now we know Thee but in part, 'Tis written in Thy Word That "Blessed are the pure in heart, That we may see Thee face to face 197 Rachel weeping for her children. 1 A VOICE comes from Ramah, Of innocence smote, For hers that are not. 2 Alas for the parents Whose hope and whose trust And hid in the dust; 3 A voice comes from Ramah, 198 But the words of Jehovah Can soothe it away: They tell of a region Where grief is forgot, And Rachel is solaced For those that are not. A voice was heard in Ramah. Jer. xxxi. 1 A VOICE from Ramah there was sent, Who dwelling now on Zion hill 3 And every tear is wiped away By your dear Father's hands for aye: What time they shine in heavenly day, 199 And would not be comforted. Matt. ii. 18. 1 WHY weep'st thou by thy children's tomb? O Rachel, weep not so: The bud is cropt by martyrdom, The flower in heaven shall blow. Firstlings of faith! the murderer's knife Hath missed its deadly aim; The God, for whom they gave their life, 2 Though evil were their days and few, He knows them whom they never knew, Then weep not o'er thy children's tomb, The bud is cropt by martyrdom; The flower in heaven shall blow. 1 GLORY to Thee, O Lord, Who from this world of sin Earth's untried perils o'er, 3 Glory to Thee for all The ransomed infant band, Who since that hour have heard Thy call, And reached the quiet land! 4 0 that our hearts within Like theirs, were pure and bright! 201 A door of hope opened. Hos. ii. 1 AWAKE, my soul, and bless His Name Whose mercies never fail; Who shows to thee a door of hope 3 Enter, my soul, with cheerful haste, Nor fear the serpent's wily arts, 4 O may His grace the nations lead, And Jew and Gentile come, All travelling through one beauteous gate To one eternal home. 5 To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, &c. 202 Psalm 1xvii. God be merciful unto us, &c. |