With all the hustle, the parties, the shopping, the “I’ve got to get this done!” flurry, let us look at the ends of each of the lines of this hymn, written by William Dix in 1860. The manger story, yes, but our response to it is the real story. Are we further along in our Christ walk than we were last year? Are we where we want to be next year? As we celebrated our church’s renewal service the other night, I thought about this hymn. May it bless your day and your closeness to the God of the Universe who shared His Son for us when we least deserve His sacrifice:
“As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold; As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bring; So most gracious 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.
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