As with Gladness Men of Old

By W. Chatterton Dix

Lyrics

1. As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Ever more be led to thee.

2. As with joyful steps they sped,
Savior, to thy lowly bed,
There to bend the knee before
Thee whom Heav’n and Earth adore,
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek thy mercy seat.

3. As they offered gifts most rare
At thy cradle rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to thee, our heav’nly King.

4. Holy Jesus, ev’ry day
Keep us in the narrow way,
And when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds thy glory hide.

5. In the heav’nly country bright,
Need they no created light;
Thou its light, its joy, its crown,
Thou its sun, which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our King.

#Christmas Carols

Bible Reference

Matthew 2:1–12

About This Hymn

"As with Gladness Men of Old" is a beloved Epiphany hymn written by William Chatterton Dix in 1858. Inspired by the story of the Magi in Matthew chapter 2, the hymn draws a parallel between the journey of the wise men who followed the star to Bethlehem and the believer’s own spiritual journey toward Christ. The text was first written on Epiphany Sunday while Dix, then a young man working as an insurance company manager in Glasgow, was confined to bed due to illness. During his recovery he meditated on the biblical account of the star leading the Magi and penned this hymn as a devotional poem.

The hymn’s verses recount the devotion of the wise men, who sought Christ with joy, offered Him gifts, and worshiped Him as King. These actions are used as a pattern for Christian worship: believers are called to follow God’s guiding light, offer themselves in service, and rejoice in Christ as Savior. The hymn beautifully shifts from the historical moment in Bethlehem to timeless application, urging every Christian to walk in the same faith and devotion.

Musically, the hymn is most often paired with the tune Dix, named after its author, though the melody was originally composed by Conrad Kocher. Its stately yet gentle rhythm enhances the meditative nature of the text. Over time it has become one of the most enduring hymns for Epiphany services, but it is also frequently included in Christmas celebrations because of its emphasis on worship and dedication to Christ. Its enduring appeal lies in its simple but profound message: just as the Magi offered their gifts in joy, so Christians today are called to give their hearts to the Lord.