As With Gladness


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 be led to Thee!

As with joyful steps they sped,
Saviour, to Thy lowly bed;
There to bend the knee before
Thee, whom heaven and earth adore.
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek the mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At the cradle, rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure, and free from sins alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

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.

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 for ever may we sing
Hallelujahs to our King!