Sunday's Hymn: As with Gladness Men of Old

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 God, may we
Evermore be led to thee.

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

As they offered gifts most rare
At that 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.

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.

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 for ever may we sing
Alleluias to our King.

—William C. Dix

Other hymns, worship songs, prayers, sermons excerpts, or quotes posted today:

• Be Thou My Vision at Graces Daily
• Oh, Come, Little Children at The Happy Wonderer
• Second Week in Advent at The Upward Call
• In Gratitude We Give With Joy from Trevin Wax
• Peace on Earth at Tried With Fire
• A Sacred Riddle at Theology for Girls
• Lord’s Day 49, 2014 at The Thirsty Theologian
• Your goodness is no increase to God’s wealth at Blogging Theologically
• Your weekly dose of Spurgeon: A fixed faith at Pyromaniacs

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.

Thankful Thursday

Here are a few things I’m thankful for this evening.

• safe travels, for my son, who is on a road trip right now, and for the rest of the family as we drive around daily taking care of our business.
  
  
• house plants and candles bringing life to my home in the dead of winter.
  
  
• strength and energy to help care for my grandchildren and keep up with my other duties.
  
  
• advent season and the opportunity to reflect on the Son’s first coming. And while I’m thinking of it, for the promise that the Son will come again—his second advent.

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment with your thanksgiving, post your thanksgiving on your blog, or tweet it. Give me the link by email or in a comment and I’ll add your thanksgiving to the list in the post.

Theological Term of the Week

parousia
Another term for the second coming of Christ, from the Greek word parousia meaning “coming” or “presence.”

• In scripture (four texts from 1 Thessalonians): 

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 ESV)

… and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 ESV)

For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:15 ESV)

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23 ESV)

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