Author: Caelius Sedulius; Percy Dearmer, 1867-1936 Hymnal: The New English Hymnal #46a (1986) Hymnal Title: The New English Hymnal Lyrics: 1 Why, impious Herod, shouldst thou fear
Because the Christ is come so near?
He who doth heavenly kingdoms grant
Thine earthly realm can never want.
2 Lo, sages from the East are gone
To where the star hath newly shone:
Led on by light to Light they press,
And by their gifts their God confess.
3 The Lamb of God is manifest
Again in Jordan’s water blest,
And he who sin had never known
By washing hath our sins undone.
4 Yet he that ruleth everything
Can change the nature of the spring,
And gives at Cana this for sign--
The water reddens into wine.
5 Then glory, Lord, to thee we pay
For thine Epiphany to-day;
All glory through eternity
To Father, Son, and Spirit be. Amen.
Topics: The Christian Year Epiphany; Office Hymn Languages: English Tune Title: VENI REDEMPTOR
Why, impious Herod, shouldst thou fear