Why, impious Herod

(one verse introduction)

Why, impious Herod should you fear
because the Christ is come so near?
He who does heavenly kingdoms grant
your earthly realm can never want.

Lo, sages from the East are gone
to where the star has newly shone:
led on by light to Light they press,
and by their gifts their God confess.

The Child of God is manifest
again in Jordan's water blessed,
and he who sin had never known
by washing has our sins undone.

Yet he that rules every thing
can change the nature of the spring,
and gives at Cana this for sign--
the water reddens into wine.

Then glory, God, to you we pay
for your Epiphany today;
all glory through eternity
to Creator, Child, and Spirit be.

Words: C. Sedulius (c. 450)
Music: St. Venantius (L.M.)
Sequence: Cathouse Pandemonium, Ltd