Nine Lessons and Carols, Part IX: The Eighth Reading

The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.

MATTHEW 2:1-12 (ESV):

1 Now after Jesus was born
in Bethlehem of Judea
in the days of Herod the king, behold,
wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,

2 saying, “Where is he
who has been born king of the Jews?
For we saw his star when it rose
and have come to worship him.”

3 When Herod the king heard this,
he was troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him;

4 and assembling
all the chief priests and scribes of the people,
he inquired of them
where the Christ was to be born.

5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly
and ascertained from them
what time the star had appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying,
“Go and search diligently for the child,
and when you have found him,
bring me word,
that I too may come and worship him.”

9 After listening to the king,
they went on their way.
And behold,
the star that they had seen when it rose
went before them
until it came to rest
over the place where the child was.

10 When they saw the star,
they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

11 And going into the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother,
and they fell down and worshiped him.
Then, opening their treasures,
they offered him gifts,
gold and frankincense and myrrh.

12 And being warned in a dream
not to return to Herod,
they departed to their own country
by another way.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

~~~~~


Ulfert Smidt, Organ Choral, Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern

~~~~~


JS Bach, BWV 1, Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern

Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
Voll Gnad und Wahrheit von dem Herrn,
Die süße Wurzel Jesse!
Du Sohn Davids aus Jakobs Stamm,
Mein König und mein Bräutigam,
Hast mir mein Herz besessen,
Lieblich,
Freundlich,
Schön und herrlich,
groß und ehrlich,
reich von Gaben,
Hoch und sehr prächtig erhaben.

How glorious shines the morning star
With truth and blessing from the Lord,
The darling root of Jesse!
You, David's Son of Jacob's stem,
My King and my Bridegroom
who has taken possession of my heart, are
Lovely,
Kindly,
Beautiful and magnificent,
great and righteous,
rich in blessings,
Exalted and supurbly noble.

~~~~~


"The Three Kings"

[The baritone solo sings one melody with the text, "The Three Kings" while the choir accompanies him with the carol, "How Brightly Shines the Morning Star." The choir parts are in italics.]

Three Kings from Persian lands afar
To Jordan follow the pointing star:
And this the quest of the travelers three,
Where the new-born King of the Jews may be.
Full royal gifts they bear for the King;
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.

How brightly shines the morning star!
With grace and truth from heaven afar
Our Jesse tree now bloweth.

The star shines out with a steadfast ray;
The kings to Bethlehem make their way,
And there in worship they bend the knee,
As Mary’s child in her lap they see;
Their royal gifts they show to the King;
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.

Of Jacob’s stem and David’s line,
For thee, my Bridegroom, King divine,
My soul with love o’erfloweth.

Thou child of man, lo, to Bethlehem
The Kings are traveling, travel with them!
The star of mercy, the star of grace,
Shall lead thy heart to its resting place.
Gold, incense, myrrh thou canst not bring;
Offer thy heart to the infant King.

Thy word, Jesu, Inly feeds us,
Rightly leads us, Life bestowing.
Praise, O praise such love o’erflowing.