O Morning Star, So Pure, So Bright

For Christmas

Words: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, Philipp Nicolai, 1597.
Translation: Composite, 1916.

Music: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, Philip Nicolai, 1599.
The melody is said to be from an older tune from Strasbourg, circa 1538.
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Meter: 887 887 48 48

Source: Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (Philadelphia: Board of Publication of the United Lutheran Church in America, 1917), #349, pp. 354-355.

1. O Morning Star, so pure, so bright,
Shining with grace, and truth, and light,
    Thou blessed Root of Jesse!
O David's Son, of Jacob's race,
My soul's Beloved, Thou King of Grace,
    My heart would fain embrace Thee!
        Lovely, loving,
    Great and glorious, all-victorious,
    Rich in blessing,
Rule and might o'er all possessing!

2. Thou heavenly Brightness! Light Divine!
O deep within my heart now shine,
    And make Thee there an altar!
Fill me with joy and strength to be
Thy member, ever joined to Thee
    In love that cannot falter;
        Toward Thee longing
    Doth possess me, turn and bless me,
    For Thy gladness
Eye and heart here pine in sadness.

3. O joy! to know my precious Friend
Is First, and Last, and without end,
    Sublime, divine, eternal;
He will at length, O glorious grace!
Transport me to that happy place,
    The home of bliss supernal.
        Amen, Amen.
    Quickly come, Thou King of Glory;
    Take me, Saviour,
To Thy glorious Self for ever.

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