Scripture Verse

There came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matthew 2:1

Introduction

portrait
John H. Tenney (1840–1918)

Words: An­na H. Mer­cur, The Christ­mas Star (New York: A. E. Cha­smar, 1882), page 9.

Music: San Fran­cis­co John H. Ten­ney, 1890 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Mer­cur (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

illustration
Journey of the Magi
James Tissot (1836–1902)

When first this match­less sto­ry
The mid­night si­lence stirred,
Caroled by an­gels ho­ly,
By awe­struck shep­herds heard,
Seeking the King of glo­ry,
Led by pro­phet­ic star,
With gifts and hom­age low­ly,
Came ma­gi from afar.

And now in ev­ery na­tion,
And told in ev­ery tongue,
This sto­ry of sal­va­tion,
From pole to pole is sung;
Still would we tell this sto­ry,
Still sing the song we love,
Of glo­ry, glo­ry, glo­ry,
With ran­somed saints ab­ove.