Lo! the Eastern Magi rise, at a signal in the skies! Brighter than the brightest gem, shines the Star of Bethlehem. Balaam’s mystic words appear, full of light, divinely clear; And the import wrapt in them, is the Star of Bethlehem. Now the holy wise men meet at the royal Infant’s feet, Offerings rich are made by them to the Star of Bethlehem. Night’s terrific shades give way, open dawns the promised day, And on us as well as them, shines the Star of Bethlehem. 44. How shall I meet my Saviour? How shall I welcome Thee? What manner of behaviour is now required of me? Let Thine illumination guide heart and hand aright, That this my preparation be pleasing in Thy sight. While with her sweetest flowers thy Zion strews the way, I’ll raise with all my powers to Thee a grateful lay; To Thee, the King of Glory, I’ll tune a song divine; And make Thy love’s bright story in grateful numbers shine. I lay in fetters groaning, Thou camest to set me free; My shame I was bemoaning, with grace Thou clothedst me: Thou raisedst me to glory, endowd’st me with Thy bliss, Which is not transitory, as worldly treasure is. This caused Thy incarnation; this brought Thee down to me; Thy thirst for my salvation contrived my liberty! 45. When marshall’d on the nightly plain, The glittering hosts bestud the sky, One star alone of all the train Can fix the sinner’s wandering eye. Hark, hark! to God the chorus breaks, From every host, from every gem; But one alone the Saviour speaks,— It is the Star of Bethlehem. Once on the raging sea I rode, The storm was loud, the night was dark, The ocean yawn’d, and rudely blow’d The wind that toss’d my found’ring barque. Deep horror then my vitals froze, Death-struck, I ceas’d the tide to stem; When suddenly a Star arose,— It was the Star of Bethlehem. It was my guide, my light, my all, It bade my dark forebodings cease; And through the storm and danger’s thrall, It led me to the port of peace. Now safely moor’d, my perils o’er, I’ll sing first in night’s diadem, For ever, and for evermore, The Star—the Star of Bethlehem! 46. Songs of praise the angels sang, heaven with hallelujahs rang, When Jehovah’s work begun, when He spake and it was done. Songs of praise awoke the morn, when the Prince of Peace was born; Songs of praise arose when He captive led captivity. Heaven and earth must pass away, songs of praise shall crown that day; God will make new heaven and earth, songs of praise shall hail their birth. Saints below, with heart and voice, still in songs of praise rejoice; Learning here by faith and love, songs of praise to sing above.