As With Gladness Men of Old by William C. Dix Beautiful Piano. Congregational sing-a-long

✍️ The Story of Its Writing William C. Dix was a layman, not a clergy member or professional musician—he worked as a marine insurance manager in Glasgow, Scotland. However, he was also a devoted Christian and gifted hymn writer. On Epiphany Day (which commemorates the visit of the Magi), Dix was ill and bedridden, unable to attend church. While meditating on the biblical story of the Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-12), he was inspired to write a poem reflecting their journey and how it relates to the Christian walk of faith. He wrote the poem in a single day, as a personal devotional. It wasn't initially meant for publication, but it was later included in hymnals and became one of the most enduring Epiphany hymns in the English-speaking world.