In his temple now behold him

In his temple now behold him. Henry John Pye* (1827-1903). This hymn appeared in Pye’s Book of Hymns, arranged for Sundays and Holydays, and certain of the offices of the Church (Oxford, 1852), published when Pye was the new rector of Clifton-Campville with Chilcote (1851-68). It was entitled ‘The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, commonly called, The Purification of Saint Mary the Virgin. (P.M.) February 2’. This is also called ‘Candlemas’. It had three stanzas: To His temple now behold Him,   Comes the long-expected Lord; Ancient prophets had foretold Him,   God has now fulfilled His word. Now to praise Him, His redeem’d Shall break forth with one accord. In the arms of Her who bore...