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ND I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:11-12)
Epiphany represents the manifestation of God to the world through Christ. It is symbolically identified with the coming of the Wise Men from the East (gentiles). We celebrate Epiphany beginning on January 6th which concludes the Twelve Days of Christmas. This hymn quite beautifully flows naturally from Christmastide to Epiphany.
This hymn is the composition of Bishop Reginald Heber in 1811 and is intended to be sung on the feast of Epiphany. Bishop Heber wrote other hymns as well to include, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” My preferred tune given in the hymnal is “Morning Star” by JP Harding.
Brightest and Best Sons of the Morning
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and lend us your 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 yield him in costly devotion
odors of Edom, and offerings 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 sons of the morning,
dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid.
Star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
1 Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, dawn on our darkness and lend us your aid. Star of the east, the horizon adorning, guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. It is no random act of nature that the coming of Christ was heralded by the Star of Bethlehem for Christ himself is symbolized by the Bright and Morning Star. (see Revelations 22:16) We all are the people who sat in darkness and have seen a great Light – and that Light is Christ! (Matthew 4:16) The New Day Dawning is that New Day in Christ that is an unending day for all of faith. The Morning Star guides us through the dark night of this world to the glorious dawning of the ‘Sun of Righteousness.’ (Malachi 4:2)
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. Our Lord was not born in a royal palace, but a stable. The cold, night air was keen on His exposed brow. He was in good company among the beast of the field who know no sin. The same angelic host that greeted the poor shepherds looked on in adoration at the beautiful baby as it slept in a wooden manger. It was as a diamond enclosed in a bed of cinders to those angels. They knew Him far more than all who came to behold Him there for they knew His purpose and ministry to come.
3 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 and gold from the mine? All those riches named in this verse are worthless in the eyes of the Savior. The treasure He seeks is not Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, but the heart of all who are called to faith. That is His treasure. But the treasures of the heart are much like the gold of the mine – they are hidden away and precious. In order to know them one must cultivate them in seeking and finding. “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” (Isaiah 63:1) This One who is represented here comes with the fragrance of the oils of Edom and the glorious garments of Bozrah. It is One who comes from a glorious victory and One able to save – the only One able to save finally.
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. “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) Our oblations of things precious to the world are paltry bits of rubbish in the eyes of God. He demands something more enduring in value, and that is a heart that will, by grace, belong to Him forever. “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6) Forget the TV evangelists’ plea for ‘seed money” or proof of faith by the money you give. That is nothing to God since He owns all things. The world is His and He made it.
Verse Five is a repetition of the first verse.
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