76. CHRISTIANS, awake, salute the happy morn, Which hosts of angels chanted from above: Then to the watchful shepherds it was told, This day hath God fulfilled His promised word, He spake; and straightway the celestial choir Oh! may we keep and ponder in our mind Then may we hope, the angelic hosts among, JOHN BYROM, d. 1763 (varied). 77. BRIGHTEST and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid. Star of the east, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. Cold on His cradle the dew-drops are shining, Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all. Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, Vainly we offer each ample oblation; Vainly with gifts would His favour secure : Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Star of the east, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. BISHOP HEBER, 1811. 78. EARTH has many a noble city; Fairer than the sun at morning Eastern sages at His cradle Make oblations rich and rare; See them give, in deep devotion, Gold, and frankincense, and myrrh, Sacred gifts of mystic meaning: Jesu, whom the Gentiles worshipped Unto Thee, with God the Father And the Spirit, glory be. Translation, varied from E. CASWALL, 1849, of the Latin of 79. WHEN, marshalled on the nightly plain, Can fix the sinner's wandering eye. Hark! hark! to God the chorus breaks It is my guide, my life, my all, It bids my dark forebodings cease, Then safely moored, my perils o'er, The Star, the Star of Bethlehem. H. KIRKE WHITE, d. 1806. 80. THERE is a book, who runs may read, And all the lore its scholars need, Pure eyes and Christian hearts. The works of God above, below, Are pages in that book to show The glorious sky, embracing all, Wherewith encompassed, great and small The dew of heaven is like Thy grace; It steals in silence down; But, where it lights, the favoured place One name above all glorious names, Echoing angelic songs. Thou, who hast given me eyes to see Give me a heart to find out Thee, And read Thee everywhere. JOHN KEBLE, 1819. |