Words: J. M. Lowrie, in The Silver Song, by William A. Ogden, (Toledo, Ohio: W. W. Whitney, 1870), number 115.
Music: .
If you know J. M. Lowrie’s full name, or where to get a photo of him
Lo! the star in the East! over Bethlehem’s plain,
It shines as a guide to the place
Where the weary, worn trav’ler his hopes may attain,
And worship that Infant of Days.
While forth from their treasures, frankincense and gold,
And the costliest spices they bring.
For in their distant land it had long been foretold,
The birth of that glorious King.
Refrain
Let the glad world rejoice! Let the angelic bands
Their anthems triumphantly sing!
To God be the glory! Sound forth, all ye lands,
The coming of Jesus our King.
Lo! the star in the East! we may gaze on it now;
Be pilgrims, with it for our guide;
The lesson of Bethlehem, still ever new,
The manger, and cross where He died.
We may read, we may learn, from His birth to His grave,
The teachings of peace and of love;
For this is the King Who is mighty to save;
His grace and His love we may prove.
Refrain
Lo! the star in the East! let us follow it still,
No pilgrim it e’er led astray;
Let us bow at His feet, let us study His will,
And ever His precepts obey.
What treasures have we to present to our King,
As an offering fitting and true?
Our hearts and ourselves, blessèd Jesus, we bring,
Accept us, and form us anew.
Refrain
Lo! the star in the East! yet with far wider rays,
Shall its glorious shining go forth;
And earnestly plead, God would hasten the day,
When His knowledge shall fill all the earth.
We would lift up our prayers, we would strengthen our hands,
Would send out our means all abroad,
Till the glorious Gospel is heard in all lands,
And the world is converted to God.
Refrain