Link to Music

Today we learn another hymn of Prudentius -- listen to Audit Tyrannus Anxius from a few weeks ago to learn about his story -- O Sola Magnarum Urbium. This Epiphany hymn is also drawn from his Cathemerinon, and sings the praises of Bethlehem, noblest of cities, where the Lord was born and the Kings came to worship.

1. Bethlehem! of noblest cities None can once with thee compare; Thou alone the Lord from heaven Didst for us Incarnate bear.

2. Fairer than the sun at morning Was the star that told His birth; To the lands their God announcing, Hid beneath a form of earth.

3. By its lambent beauty guided, See the eastern kings appear; See them bend, their gifts to offer-Gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh.

4. Solemn things of mystic meaning!-Incense doth the God disclose; Gold a royal Child proclaimeth; Myrrh a future tomb foreshows.

5. Holy Jesu, in Thy brightnessTo the Gentile world displayed,With the Father and the Spirit,Endless praise to Thee be paid.