When Christ's Appearing Was Made Known

Words: "Hostis Herodis Impie" from "Paean Alphabeticus de Cristo," Sedulius
Translated from Latin to English by John Mason Neale (1818-1866).

Music: Erhalt Uns, Herr, Geistliche Lieder, Wittenberg, Germany, 1533 and
Wo Gott zum Haus, J. Klug, Geistliche Lieder, Wittenberg, 1533
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Meter: LM

1. When Christ's appearing was made known,
King Herod trembled for his throne;
But He Who offers heavenly birth
Sought not the kingdom of this earth.

2. The eastern sages saw from far
And followed on His guiding star;
By light their way to Light they trod,
And by their gifts confessed their God.

3. Within the Jordan's sacred flood
The heavenly Lamb in meekness stood,
That He, to Whom no sin was known,
Might cleanse His people from their own.

4. And O what miracle divine,
When water reddened into wine!
He spake the word, and forth it flowed
In streams that nature ne'er bestowed.

5. All glory, Jesus, be to Thee
For this Thy glad epiphany:
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost forevermore.

Translations

• How Vain The Cruel Herod's Fear, John Mason Neale & Editors, Hymns Ancient and Modern
• The Star Proclaims The King Is Here, John Mason Neale
• Was fürchtst du Feind Herodes sehr, Martin Luther
• When Christ's Appearing Was Made Known, John Mason Neale
• When Christ's Appearing Was Made Known (The first verse in this version is trans. The Hymn Book of the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada, Copyright, 1971)
• Why Doth That Impius Herod Fear. Hymns Ancient And Modern
• Why Herod, Unrelenting Foe, Translator Unknown
• Why, Impious Herod Shouldst Thou Fear, Percy Dearmer
• Why, Impious Herod, Vainly Fear, John Mason Neale

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