As With Gladness, Men of Old

Verse 1:
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.

Verse 2:
As with joyful steps they sped
to that lowly cradle-bed,
there to bend the knee before
him whom heav'n and earth adore;
so may we with willing feet
ever seek thy mercy seat.

Verse 3:
As they offered gifts most rare
at that cradle 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 heav'nly King.

Verse 4:
Holy Jesus, ev'ry 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.

Verse 5:
In that heav'nly country bright
they need 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.