The Tenth Day of Christmas

Brightest and Best (arr. Mark Hayes)

This English carol was written by a poet who was also an Anglican bishop to Calcutta, and it was to be sung leading up to Epiphany. The images of brightness, star, and morning remind us of the magi who traveled to see the infant King. The poet juxtaposes the humble estate of Jesus as a baby with the reality that angels adore Him and that He came to be the Saviour of all. The poet poses the question what we have to offer the King and then answers it with the truth that we have nothing to offer Him but our praise.

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.

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 devotionOdors 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 Thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
    Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

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