Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked,
Matthew 2:1–2Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?
Words: Author unknown. Translated to English by John Brownlie, Hymns from the East, 1907, pages 47–48.
Out from the rising of the sun,
O’er tracts of desert wild,
The Magi came on journey lone,
To seek the Heav’n-born Child;
The star o’erhead their footsteps led,
And hope their way beguiled.
They bore Him costly gifts of gold,
And myrrh and spices sweet:
For He is King,
they had been told,
Whom they would meekly greet;
And they would go, in reverence low,
And worship at His feet.
O humble Child, in manger laid!
The wise beheld Thee there,
And reverently their homage paid,
And gave their offerings rare.
Their quest was found, and to the ground
They bowed the head in prayer.
O Jesu, who in manger lay,
The Son of God most high,
Let me my humble homage pay,
And bring my offerings nigh.
And humbly greet Thee at Thy feet,
And low in worship lie.