What Star is This, With Beams So Bright

Jupiter, Which in Conjunction with Saturn, Probably Constituted the “Star” of Bethlehem

Image Source = Wikipedia

Hymn Source = The Hymnal 1940, of The Episcopal Church

Original words (1736) by Charles Coffin (1676-1749), a French Roman Catholic priest and author of many Latin hymns; English translation (1837) by John Chandler (1806-1876), a Church of England priest and translator of many hymns

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1.  What star is this, with beams so bright,

More beauteous than the noonday light?

It shines to herald forth the King,

And Gentiles to his crib to bring.

2.  True spake the prophet from afar

Who told the rise of Jacob’s star;

And eastern sages with amaze

Upon the wondrous token gaze.

3.  The guiding star above is bright;

Within them shines a clearer light,

And leads them on with power benign

To seek the Giver of the sign.

4.  Their love can brook no dull delay,

Though toil and danger block the way;

Home, kindred, fatherland, and all,

They leave at their Creator’s call.

5.  O Jesus, while the star of grace

Impels us on to seek thy face,

Let not our slothful hearts refuse

The guidance of thy light to use.

6.  To God the Father, heavenly Light,

To Christ, revealed in earthly night,

To God the Holy Ghost we raise

Our equal and unceasing praise.