As with Gladness Men of Old
As with gladness men of old
As with Gladness Men of Old is a hymn text by William Chatterton Dix (1860) in 7.7.7.7 meter. Found in CW21 372, CW93 83, ELH 168, bh08 95. Sung to DIX.
The hymn celebrates the Epiphany as the revelation of Christ's glory to the Gentiles, emphasizing that Jesus is the true light and treasure of all nations. It connects Old Testament anticipation with New Testament fulfillment, presenting Christ as the fulfillment of universal human longing and worship.
History & Background
Written by William Chatterton Dix in 1860, this hymn was first published in his collection "Hymns of Love and Joy." It has become one of the most beloved English hymns for Epiphany observance in Lutheran and Anglican traditions.
Inspired by the Epiphany gospel, Matthew 1:1-11, William C. Scripture References Dix (b. Bristol, England, 1837; d. Cheddar, Somerset, England, st. 1-3 = Matt. 1:1-12 1898) wrote this text in 1858 while recuperating from illness. st. 4-5 = Rev. 21:23 The text was first published in A. H. Ward’s Hymns for Public Rev. 22:5 Worship and Private Devotion (1860). The following year it was published in both Dix’s Hymns ofLove andJoy and Hymns Ancient and Modern. Taking Matthew 1:1-11 as his theme for stanzas 1-3, Dix likens the journey of the wise men who came to worship the Christ to our own Christian pilgrimage. The pattern of these stanzas is “as they... so may we.” Stanzas 4 and 5 are a prayer that our journey on the “narrow way” may bring us finally to glory where Christ is the light (Rev. 21:23) and where we may perfectly sing his praise. Most British hymn writers in the nineteenth century were clergymen, but Dix was a notable exception. Trained in the business world, he became the manager of a marine insurance company in Glasgow, Scotland. Dix published various volumes of his hymns, such as Hymns ofLove andJoy (1861) and Altar Songs: Verses on the Holy Eucharist (1867). A number of his texts were first published in Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861). In addition to the two printed in the Psalter Hymnal (also 406), another popular hymn by Dixis “What Child Is This.”
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 372
- Christian Worship — 83
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 168
- Baptist Hymnal — 95
- Chalice Hymnal — 173
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 308
- Glory to God — 151
- The Hymnal 1982 — 119
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 82
- Lutheran Service Book — 397
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 76
- Lutheran Worship — 75
- Psalter Hymnal — 358
- Trinity Hymnal — 225
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 127
- Voices Together — 227
Liturgical Use
Epiphany; Christmas season.
Bulletin Note
Written by William Chatterton Dix in 1860, this Epiphany hymn proclaims Christ as the fulfillment of longing in every nation. The tune DIX, composed for this text, captures the pilgrim's journey toward the Savior's light.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies pure Gospel: the revelation of Christ's glory draws willing hearts to worship without condemnation, showing how the light of the Incarnation awakens joy and devotion in all peoples.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From seeking Christ through faith's journey (Law) to eternal communion in heavenly light (Gospel), moving from earthly pilgrimage to eschatological fulfillment
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Epiphany (6×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Epiphany (8×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
An Epiphany hymn built on a simple parallel: as the Magi did, so may we. Each of the first three stanzas draws one lesson from Matthew 2 — following the star (guidance), coming to the child (seeking), offering gifts (devotion). St. 4-5 turn to the end of the journey: heaven, where no star is needed because Christ himself is the light. It is devotional rather than doctrinal, but its structure makes it ideal for teaching.
Central theme: Following the Magi in seeking, worshiping, and offering to Christ, until we see him in glory
Structure
'As… so' parallels in st. 1-3; prayer for perseverance (st. 4); heavenly vision (st. 5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Mostly prayer for sanctification; Gospel in 'ransomed souls' (st. 4) and the vision of Christ as Light (st. 5).
Confessional Connections
Epiphany as the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles; the life of faith as pilgrimage.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Epiphany of Our Lord (Jan 6); Sundays after Epiphany; mission themes.
Historical Notes
Dix, an English insurance manager, wrote it while ill on the Feast of the Epiphany in 1858-59; also wrote 'What Child Is This.'
About the Tune
DIX — adapted from a chorale by Conrad Kocher (1838); Dix himself reportedly disliked the pairing.
Scripture References
Matt 2:1-11 Isa 60:1-6 Matt 7:14 Rev 21:23 Rev 22:5
Stanza by Stanza
As the wise men gladly followed the star, so may we always be led by Christ.
The first parallel: guidance. The Magi's joy at the star (Matt 2:10, 'they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy') becomes a prayer that Christ himself lead us. The shift is important: we are not asked to follow a star but to be 'led by Thee' — Christ guides through his Word (Ps 119:105). The Magi represent the Gentile nations drawn to Christ (Isa 60:3).
- Scripture
- Matt 2:2, 9-10, Isa 60:3, Ps 119:105, John 10:27
- Imagery & language
- Guiding star; light beaming onward.
- Law / Gospel
- Prayer for guidance (sanctification).
- Connection to previous
- Opening parallel.
As the Magi hurried to the manger and knelt before the one whom heaven and earth worship, so may we eagerly seek his mercy-seat.
The second parallel: seeking and worship. 'Thee whom heaven and earth adore' confesses that the child is God (the Magi 'worshiped him,' Matt 2:11). 'Mercy-seat' is the lid of the ark where atoning blood was sprinkled (Lev 16:14-15); Rom 3:25 calls Christ the propitiation (Greek hilasterion, mercy-seat). So the prayer is to come to Christ as the place of atonement and forgiveness — a rich Gospel image in a simple stanza.
- Scripture
- Matt 2:11, Lev 16:14-15, Rom 3:25, Heb 4:16
- Imagery & language
- Hurrying feet; kneeling; mercy-seat of the tabernacle.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel (mercy-seat) and sanctification (seeking).
- Connection to previous
- Moves from following to arriving.
As the Magi brought precious gifts to the bare cradle, so may we joyfully bring our best treasures, free from sin, to Christ our King.
The third parallel: offering. The gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh) are traditionally read as signs of kingship, deity, and death. The contrast 'gifts most rare' with a cradle 'rude and bare' shows the hiddenness of Christ's glory. 'Pure and free from sin's alloy' (cf. Luther's 'base alloy' image) asks for sincere offering, not mixed motives. 'Costliest treasures' is the response of grateful faith (Rom 12:1), not payment for grace.
- Scripture
- Matt 2:11, Ps 72:10-11, Isa 60:6, Rom 12:1
- Imagery & language
- Rare gifts vs. bare cradle; metal alloy.
- Law / Gospel
- Sanctification — offering.
- Connection to previous
- Completes the threefold parallel.
A prayer that Jesus keep us on the narrow way every day and at last bring our redeemed souls where no star is needed and no cloud hides his glory.
The parallels end and direct prayer begins. 'Narrow way' recalls Matt 7:14. 'Ransomed souls' names the Gospel foundation: we are travelers because we have been redeemed (1 Pet 1:18-19). The journey of the Magi becomes the journey of the Christian life, ending in the heavenly home. 'Where no clouds Thy glory hide' points to the end of faith and the beginning of sight (1 Cor 13:12).
- Scripture
- Matt 7:13-14, 1 Pet 1:18-19, 1 Cor 13:12, Jude 24
- Imagery & language
- Narrow road; ransom; clouds hiding glory.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel (ransom) and prayer for perseverance.
- Connection to previous
- Turns from the Magi's journey to ours.
In heaven no created light is needed, for Christ is its Light, Joy, Crown, and unsetting Sun, where we may sing Alleluias forever.
Based on Rev 21:23 and 22:5: the city 'has no need of sun or moon… for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.' The star of Epiphany was a created light pointing to Christ; in heaven Christ himself is the light. 'Sun which goes not down' recalls Isa 60:19-20, the same chapter that foretells the coming of the nations with gifts. The hymn thus ends where Epiphany is heading — full revelation.
- Scripture
- Rev 21:23, Rev 22:5, Isa 60:19-20, Mal 4:2
- Imagery & language
- Light, joy, crown, sun.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — eschatological fulfillment.
- Connection to previous
- Fulfills the prayer of st. 4.
Themes
Epiphany and revelation Worship and adoration Christ as light of nations Guided by faith Treasures and gifts