As With Gladness

As with gladness, men of old
 Did the guiding star behold
 As with joy they hailed its light
 Leading onward, beaming bright
 So, most glorious 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 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 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
 Alleluias to our King!