As With Gladness Men of Old

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
To that lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heav'n and earth adore,
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare,
At that manger 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 heav'nly King.

Holy Jesus, ev'ry 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 heav'nly 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
Alleluias to our King.