Brightest and Best

400 Brightest and Best

1. 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.

2. 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!

3. Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
   Odors of Edom and offerings divine?
   Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
   Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

4. 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.

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.
                         Reginald Heber
                         The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition

<idle musing>
Interstingly, the author of this hymn is also the author of Holy, Holy, Holy. Cyberhymnal adds a different fifth verse:

5. Hail the blest morn when the great mediator
   Down from the regions of glory descends.
   Shepherds, go worship the Babe in the manger;
   Lo! for His guard the bright angels attend.

</idle musing>