Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning

Tune: Morning Star by James P. Harding, adapt.; setting: Service Book and Hymnal, 1958
Text: Reginald Heber, 1753-1826, alt.
Hymnal: Lutheran Service Book, #400

Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and send us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.

Shall we not yield Him, in costly devotion,
Fragrance of Edom and off'rings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart's adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and send us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Again, this hymn is played rather straightforward but with a slight reharmonization of my own for the final verse. The tempo is only slightly slower than what I would normally use for congregational singing to facilitate operation of my rather cumbersome (at present) setup.

This is my favorite of all Epiphany hymns.
I hope you enjoy!