Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendour

Merry Christmas to all of you! As we ponder on the wonder and blessedness of the birth of our saviour Jesus, it’s only right that we have a hymn that mediates on the gift that is Christ. Today’s hymn was written by Frank Houghton (1894–1972), an American Anglican bishop and the director of China Inland Mission – the ministry founded by Hudson Taylor. This hymn was written in 1934, at a particularly difficult time in the history of the missions to China; as well as other sorrows, in this same year John and Betty Stam were captured in Anhwei and beheaded. After hearing of this, Frank Houghton decided to begin a tour through the country to visit various missionaries, despite how dangerous it was. While traveling over the mountains of Szechwan, the powerful and comforting words of 2 Corinthians 8:9, “though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,” were transformed into this lovely Christmas hymn¹. May these words bring a comfort to you also this Christmas season; enjoy!

Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love’s sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love’s sake becomes poor.

Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man;
Stooping so low, but sinners raising
Heavenwards by thine eternal plan.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man.

Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship thee.
Emmanuel, within us dwelling,
Make us what thou wouldst have us be.
Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship thee.