151 | Glory to God#152 | 153 |
Text: | What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright |
Author: | Charles Coffin |
Translator: | John Chandler |
Tune: | PUER NOBIS NASCITUR |
Adapter: | Michael Praetorius |
Harmonizer: | George Ratcliffe Woodward |
Media: | Audio recording |
1 What star is this, with beams so bright,
more lovely than the noonday light?
’Tis sent to announce a newborn king,
glad tidings of our God to bring.
2 ’Tis now fulfilled what God decreed,
“From Jacob shall a star proceed;"
and lo! the eastern sages stand
to read in heaven the Lord’s command.
3 While outward signs the star displays,
an inward light the Lord conveys
and urges them, with tender might,
to seek the giver of the light.
4 O Jesus, while the star of grace
impels us on to seek your face,
let not our slothful hearts refuse
the guidance of your light to use.
Text Information | |
---|---|
First Line: | What star is this, with beams so bright |
Title: | What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright |
Author: | Charles Coffin (1736) |
Translator: | John Chandler (1837, alt.) |
Meter: | LM |
Language: | English |
Publication Date: | 2013 |
Scripture: | ; |
Topic: | Christian Year: Nativity/Christmas; Christian Year: Epiphany; Jesus Christ: Birth |
Tune Information | |
---|---|
Name: | PUER NOBIS NASCITUR |
Adapter: | Michael Praetorius (1609) |
Harmonizer: | George Ratcliffe Woodward (1910) |
Meter: | LM |
Key: | D Major |
Source: | Trier ms., 15th cent. |
Notes: | (alternate harmonization, 254) |
This 18th-century Latin text calls attention to three kinds of light: the light of the star leading the Magi to the Christ-child, the inward light inspiring their journey, and Christ who is the Light of the world. The simple unison melody unites everything in a gentle arc.
Media | |
---|---|
Audio recording: | ![]() |