[Magdalen] Brightest and Best - The Epiphany, January 6, 2016.

[Christopher Hart]

Brightest and Best (sung to the tune Morning Star) is my very favorite
Epiphany hymn.

On Wednesday, January 6, 2016, Cantor03--- via Magdalen <
magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:

>
> The concept of the Epiphany was a complete unknown to me when I  entered
> TEC in the Diocese of Milwaukee in 1958 (though I'd been attending an
> Episcopal church sporadically for a couple years before that).   Therefore
> this hymn was a total unknown, and though it is a bit schmaltzy, it  still
> speaks to me of the Epiphany Feast.
>
> It's time also for my annual rant about why churches of the Western
> Liturgy,
> Anglican, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic do not chose the Three Kings  as
> a dedication of churches more than they do.
>
> I think back on the wonderful Lutheran Vespers at the
> Three Kings Church in the Saxenhausen section of Frankfurt/M which I  had
> the privilege of attending for more than three years living in that  City.
>
> I think also of the Shrine of the Three Kings down the River Rhein  just
> behind the high altar at the Kolnerdom.
>
> (David Strang)
>
>
> Brightest and Best:
>
>
>
> Full  Text
>
>
> 1  Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
> Dawn on our darkness, and  lend us thine aid;
> Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
> Guide where our  infant Redeemer is laid.
> 2  Cold on His cradle the dew-drops are shining,
> Low lies His head with the  beasts of the stall;
> Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
> Maker and  Monarch and Saviour of all.
> 3  Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
> Odours of Edom, and offerings  divine?
> Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
> Myrrh from the  forest, and gold from the mine?
> 4  Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
> Vainly with gifts would His favour  secure;
> Richer by far is the heart's adoration,
> Dearer to God are the  prayers of the poor.
> 5  Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
> Dawn on our darkness and lend  us thine aid;
> Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
> Guide where our  infant Redeemer is laid.
> Hymnal: according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
> United States of America, 1871
>
>
>

-- 

Christopher Hart

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