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You Bring the Hymnal,  I'll bring the History
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William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898) may have written two of our Christmas hymns on the same day, Epiphany Day, 1859. (Jan. 6 the day usually associated with the arrival of the Magi to see Jesus).  Dix did not follow his father and go into the pastorate but instead went into business but one thing he did do that his father also did, and that was to write.  Dix wrote poetry.  Right before his 23rd birthday he was sick for a prolonged time and had to rest.  It was during this time that Dix began a careful study of the New Testament.  On Epiphany Day he came to the verses in Matthew 2:1-12. After studying he went to his parents and commented: " This business of three kings from the orient just is not true.  It is merely part of the tradition that grew up around the birth of Our Lord and has no Biblical basis whatsoever."  Then he preceded to read to them the new hymn he had just written,  "As with Gladness Men of Old."  He wrote that the visitors were men instead of wisemen, Magi or Kings.  Also later he remembered that the visitors came to the house were Jesus lay and so changed his words in read, "As with joyful steps they sped to the Savior's lowly bed."  But most of our hymn books have his original wording.

The other hymn he wrote was, "What Child is This?"  In this hymn Dix mentions the three gifts without mentioning men, Magi, or the Kings.  But the greatest feature is his reference to the Lord's death as well as his birth in stanza two.

In both hymns he is telling the reader to give a response in view of the gift that God has given to sinful man.

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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.

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.

As thy offered gifts most rare at that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy, pure and fee from sin's alloy.
All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee, our heavenly King.

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.

In the heavenly county bright, need the 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.
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(In the hymn arrangement of this poem, the second half of the first stanza constitutes a refrain and only the first half of stanzas 2 and 3 are used.)

What Child is this, who laid to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
*This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherd guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!

Why lies He in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through, the cross be borne for me, for you:
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh, the Babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, King, to won Him:
The King of Kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary!
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