For The Epiphany

Words: W. H. Turton

Tune: “Eliensis,” C. J. B. Meacham
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF
Meter 76 76 76 76

Source: Arthur Henry Brown, ed., The Altar Hymnal (London: Griffith, Farrar, Okeden & Welsh, 1885), #20, pages 62-63.

1. Behold! the Star is shining –
Is shining ever bright,
It leads the Eastern sages
With pure, celestial light;
It leads o'er plains and mountains,
It leads o'er deserts wild,
To Bethlehem's vine clad summit,
To Mary's new-born Child.

2. Behold! the kings are kneeling
The King of Kings before,
With Joseph and with Mary,
They worship and adore;
And op'ning then their treasures,
Their Lord and God they own,
With gold, and myrrh, and incense,
Before His cradle-throne.

3. O Child of Mary! hearken,
Still lead us through the night –
Thy Love, the Star before us
That shineth ever bright;
It shines with Love eternal,
With Love beyond the tomb,
Still shining ever clearer
Amidst surrounding gloom.

4. But whither is it leading?
That Star of Love so bright –
It rests above Thine Altar
With pure, celestial light;
For there is still Thy Beth-Lehem –
That lowly, “House of Bread” --
Oh thither, Child of Mary,
By Love may we be led.

5. Around Thee there in worship
Our choicest gifts we'll pour,
Our gold, and myrrh, and incense,
Thy lowly Throne before;
And when this lifeis over,
And all its clouds are riven,
Thy love – the Star we've follow'd –
Shall be our Sun in Heaven.

“Eliensis,” C. J. B. Meacham