This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3:17
Words: John H. Anketell, written in Austin, Minnesota, 1878. Published in Gospel and Epistle Hymns for the Christian Year (New York: Church Record Company, 1889), number 9.
Music: Gott sei dank, Neues geistreiches Gesangbuch, by Johann A. Freylinghausen (Halle, Germany: 1704) (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Anketell (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Jesu! Our eternal king!
Thy Epiphany we sing,
Manifested by Thy grace
To our lost and fallen race.
O’er Thy cradle shone a star,
Guiding pilgrims from afar,
Bearing to their maker’s feet
Gold and myrrh and incense sweet.
In fair Jordan’s crystal wave
Thou wast merged our souls to save;
To Thee came the heav’nly Dove,
With the Father’s voice of love.
At the feast in Galilee
Wondering guests Thy glory see;
Water owns Thy power divine,
Changing into ruddy wine.
Jesu! Lord of life divine!
Let Thy star upon us shine,
Wash us with Thy saving blood,
Be Thy wine our sacred food.
Till, upborne in seraph’s wing,
Heaven’s Epiphany we sing,
Praising with the angel host,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost.