LYRICS
| Meter: | 8 8 8 8 (L.M.)
| | Writer(s): | Charles (Carolo) Coffin
| | Transl/Adapt: | John Chandler
| | Dates: | 1736,1837
| | Bible Refs: | Num 24:17
| Church Hymnal (Church of Ireland) 1919
| 1919
| 106
| Church Hymnal (Church of Ireland) 1960
| 1960
| 82
| Hymns Ancient & Modern, New Edition
| 1904
| 81
| Hymns Ancient & Modern, Standard
| 1922
| 77
| Presbyterian Hymn Book
| 1990
| 68
| Sarum Hymnal
| 1869
| 63
| The English Hymnal
| 1906
| 44
| The Hymnal 1940
| 1940
| 47
| The Hymnal 1982
| 1982
| 124
| Yattendon Hymnal
| 1900
| 8
|
| 1. What star is this,
with beams so bright,
more lovely than the noonday light?
'Tis sent to announce
a new-born King,
glad tidings of our God to bring.
2. 'Tis now fulfilled what God decreed,
"From Jacob shall a star proceed;"
and lo! the eastern sages stand,
to read in heaven
the Lord's command.
3. While outward signs
the star displays,
an inward light the Lord conveys,
and urges them, with force benign,
to seek the giver of the sign.
4. True love can brook no dull delay;
through toil and dangers
lies their way;
and yet their home,
their friends, their all
they leave at once, at God's high call.
5. O, while the star of heavenly grace
invites us, Lord, to seek thy face,
may we no more that grace repel,
or quench that light
which shines so well!
6. To God the Father, God the Son,
and Holy Spirit, three in One,
may every tongue and nation raise
an endless song of thankful praise!
7. Jesu, Whom the Gentiles worshipp’d
At Thy glad Epiphany,
Unto Thee, with God the Father
And the Spirit, glory be.
8. ****another version
9. What star is this,
with beams so bright,
more beauteous than
the noon-day light?
It shines to herald forth the King,
and Gentiles to his crib to bring.
10. See now fulfilled what God decreed,
"From Jacob shall a star proceed;"
and Eastern sages will amaze,
Upon the wondrous vision gaze.
11. True spake the prophet from afar
who told the rise of Jacob’s star;
and eastern sages with amaze
upon the wondrous token gaze.
12. The guiding star above is bright;
within them shines a clearer light,
and leads them on with power benign
to seek the Giver of the sign.
13. O Jesus, while the star of grace
impels us on to seek thy face,
let not our slothful hearts refuse
the guidance of thy light to use.
14. To God the Father, heavenly Light,
to Christ, revealed in earthly night,
to God the Holy Ghost we raise
our equal and unceasing praise.
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