Here we have a photo of Canterbury Cathedral - it is floodlit, and we can see the Christmas tree and outdoor crib. Canterbury Cathedral is a Church of England (Anglican) building, and I have chosen 'As with gladness men of old' by W Chatterton Dix as our hymn for today. The author, who was educated at Bristol Grammar School, became the manager of a marine insurance company in Glasgow. He lived between 1837 and 1898.
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 to thee.
As with joyful steps they sped,
To that lowly manger-bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heaven 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 heavenly King.
Holy Jesu, 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 for ever may we sing
Alleluias to our King.
What a fantastic Epiphany hymn!
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