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 God, may we Evermore be led by 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 Thy mercy-seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At Thy cradle rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy, Pure, and free from sin’s 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 forever may we sing, Hallelujahs to our King.
     W. C. Dix.
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WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE…
NO 21 ON CAROL SHEET
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ANGELS, FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth.
Ye who sang creation’s story,
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.

   Come and worship
   Christ, the new-born King.
   Come and worship
   Worship Christ, the new-born King.

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant-light.

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar.
Seek the great desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star.

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord descending
In His temple shall appear:
     James Montgomery.
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HAIL TO THE LORD’S ANOINTED,
Great David’s greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed, His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, To set the captive free,
To take away transgression, And rule in equity.

He comes, with succour speedy,
To those who suffer wrong.
To help the poor and needy, And bid the weak be strong.
To give them songs for sighing, Their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying, Were precious in His sight.

He shall come down like showers,
Upon the fruitful earth.
Love, joy and hope, like flowers, Spring in His path to birth.
Before Him, on the mountains, Shall peace, the herald, go.
And righteousness, in fountains, From hill to valley flow.

Kings shall fall down before Him,
And gold and incense bring.
All nations shall adore Him, His praise all people sing.
To Him shall prayer unceasing And daily vows ascend,
His kingdom still increasing, A kingdom without end.

O’er every foe victorious,
He on His throne shall rest.
From age to age more glorious, All-blessing and all-blessed.
The tide of time shall never His covenant remove.
His name shall stand forever, His changeless name of Love.
          James Montgomery.
Contributors:   Revd. Samuel S. Thorp, Deborah Yeates, Kathryn Grudgings, Sylvia Bentham, Alison Bright, Vanessa Margan
Production:   David Carter