William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898) was the manager of a maritime insurance office in Glasgow, Scotland, and also a prolific hymn-writer and poet. He published four books: Hymns of Love and Joy (1861), Altar Songs: Verses on the Holy Eucharist (1867), A Vision of All Saints (1871), and Seekers of a City (1878). Several of his hymns are still sung today, including “What Child is This” (which we looked at back in early December) and “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus.”

Born in Germany, Conrad Kocher (1786-1872) began his adult life as a tutor in St. Petersburg, but returned to Germany to devote his career to music. He founded the School for Sacred Song in Stuttgart in 1821, which greatly popularized four-part singing in the churches of that region. Kocher wrote the music for this originally as a chorale; in abridged form, the tune is now known as Dix, in honor of today’s carol’s author. It is also the tune to which we sing “For the Beauty of the Earth” – and is perhaps even better known for that hymn.

The first three stanzas are well-familiar to us all as the story of the wise men, following the star to find the newborn king and offering their gifts: and urging us to follow their example in seeing the glory of Christ, seeking his presence, and offering ourselves to him. The fourth stanza is our prayer to be reunited to Jesus when we die and go to heaven. And the fifth stanza – rarely sung, alas – speaks of the heavenly city, needing no light except for the presence of the Lord (Revelation 21:23).

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 Evermore be led to Thee.

2. As with joyful steps they sped To that lowly manger bed, 
There to bend the knee before Him whom heaven and earth adore; 
So may we with willing feet Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

3. As they offered gifts most rare At that manger plain and bare, 
So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin’s alloy, 
All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

4. Holy Jesus, every 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 that heavenly country bright None shall need 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!

Here’s the choir of King’s College, Cambridge, singing all five stanzas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH2SD23BT1E