 | ||
| Wise Men in Adoration, Murillo |
Brightest and Best
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning
Dawn on our darkness andlend 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.
Say shall we yield Him in costly devotion
Odors of Edom, offerings divine?
Gems from the mountain and pearls from the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest or 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 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.
Words by Reginald Heber (1793-1826)
