1. Chorus

All they from Sheba shall come:

they shall bring gold and incense;

and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.



2. Chorale

The Kings from Sheba came forth,

gold, frankincense, myrrh they brought,

Alleluia!



3. Recitative

What Isaiah there foretold,

at Bethlehem it came to pass.

Here the Wise Men gather

around the crib of Jesus,

and wish to proclaim Him as their king.

Gold, frankincense, myrrh

are the most precious gifts

with which they honour the little Jesus

in the stable at Bethlehem.

My Jesus,

if I now recall my duty,

I too must come to Thy crib

and likewise show my thanks:

because this day, for me, is a day of joy,

when Thou, O Prince of Life,

become the heathen’s light

and their Redeemer.

But what shall I bring Thee, King of Heaven?

If Thou dost not deem my heart too little,

accept it with grace,

for I have nothing more noble to bring.



4. Aria

Gold from Ophir is too base,

away, away with vain gifts,

that you tear from the bowels of the earth!



Jesus would have your heart.

Offer this, O Christian throng,

to Jesus at the New Year!



5. Recitative

Do not despise,

O Thou, the light of my soul,

my heart that I humbly bring Thee;

for it contains

such things within it

which are the fruits

of Thy spirit.

The gold of faith, the frankincense of prayer,

the myrrh of patience, these are my gifts,

which Thou shalt, Jesus, evermore

have as Thine own, and as a gift from me.

But give Thyself to me as well,

Thou shalt make me the richest man on earth;

for, having Thee, I must inherit

the most abundant wealth

one day in Heaven.



6. Aria

Take me to Thyself as Thine own,

take my heart as a gift.

All and everything I am,

what I speak and do and think,

shall, my Saviour, be offered

to Thy service alone.



7. Chorale

Ah now, my God, I come to Thee

consoled into Thy hands.

Take me and guide me

until my final moment,

as Thou knowest well, that my soul

thereby will be benefitted,

and Thine own honour

be evermore exalted.