Star Bright: #1204
The Christmas melody with a twist
Hymn #1204: Star Bright
Music & Lyrics by Lorin F. Wheelwright (1909-1987)
Lorin Wheelwright intentionally wrote his Christmas song to sound nothing like the timeless Christmas songs we are used to singing. Discover how this humble Christmas song weaves together ancient prophecies, bilingual lyrics, and a musical visionary’s skill of transporting the listener to the ancient Americas.
To the surprise of many Latter-day Saints, “Star Bright” was published by the Church 65 years ago, in 1959 in The Instructor–the Church’s Sunday School magazine–both in English and Spanish (Estrella de Luz), which was uncommon during that time.
Wheelwright was not only ahead of his time in publishing a bilingual song, but he also later published it with a guitar accompaniment. Today, all of the newly released hymns have chords published as part of the music to make guitar playing easier. In fact, it wasn’t until a few years ago that guitars were more widely allowed to be played in Sacrament Meetings. So why was Wheelwright such a visionary?
Born in 1909, Wheelwright’s professional music journey began at the McCune School of Music and Art, followed by the University of Utah, where he honed his skills under the mentorship of musicians Edward P. Kimball and Alexander Schreiner, both celebrated for their contributions to organ performance and Church music. Both of his mentors also published several hymns in our current 1985 hymnal.
By incorporating musical phrasing, Wheelwright is able to help us identify with those ancient Saints in the Book of Mormon during Samuel the Lamanite’s ministry. Wheelwright said of his song, “In an easy, flowing tempo, the long tones suggest long nights of looking upward. They remind us that in these latter days, we, too, live in anticipation.”
His passion for learning took him to the University of Chicago, where he earned a master’s degree, followed by a PhD from Columbia University, solidifying his expertise in music and education. Wheelwright became dean of the Brigham Young University College of Fine Arts and Communications in 1967. But music wasn’t his only passion.
Wheelwright was a man of many talents who drew from his deep exposure to working within and without the Church’s organizations. He founded Pioneer Music Press in 1938 and was a pioneering innovator in the use of lithography and color. In 2010, he was even inducted into the Utah Printer’s Hall of Fame.
Here are other songs of Wheelwright’s that you might be familiar with:
1. “O Love That Glorifies the Son” (#295)
2. “Help Me Teach With Inspiration” (#281)
3. “Oh, May My Soul Commune with Thee” (#123)
4. “Come, All Ye Saints and Sing His Praise” (included in previous Church hymnals, including the 1948 hymnal)
5. “Mother, I Love You” (Primary Children’s Songbook)
From 1956 to at least 1971, Wheelwright served for 13 years on the Sunday School General Board of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During this time, he also worked as an associate editor of The Instructor, until its consolidation with other Church magazines in 1971.
Star Bright’s melody is distinctly Latin American, unlike most of the Christmas songs most westerners typically grow up singing. This unique choice was very intentional. Wheelwright intended to draw our minds away from only thinking about the Christmas story taking place in Jerusalem, and to remember that there was also a star in the ancient Americas during Christ’s birth.
He said, “For us who are tied closely by tradition to the European music of Christmas, the rhythm of this melody might transport our hearts from the old world to the new.”
Wheelwright believed that like the ancient Saints in Zarahemla, our anticipation of His coming should be joyful anticipation:
“Those of us who really believe, continually search our own hearts and the heavens for a sign of that great day when Christ will again return to the earth and in all His glory rescue mankind from the evil of transgression. This song tells us to search the heavens. It says to find a bright star and let it symbolize the light of conscience—ever shining, ever reaching across the eons of time, ever telling us that in this vast universe we are not alone.”
Lorin Wheelwright passed away on November 4, 1987 and is buried with his wife, Ila, in the Brigham City cemetery. Through "Star Bright," Wheelwright teaches us to trust the prophetic mantle of prophets and shows us that songs are not just for worship but also for uniting communities of faith across the globe.
Lyrics
#1204: Star Bright
by Lorin F. Wheelwright (1909-1987)
1. The heavens with light o’erflowing
A story of love will tell.
A new star will shine in glory
When Jesus comes on earth to dwell.
Chorus
O star bright, the world is pining
For you to turn night into the day.
O star bright in heaven shining,
Come, glow within me on Christmas Day.
2. Be joyful with eyes upturning,
Beholding the time at hand.
The night sign will soon be burning;
He’s coming to our promised land.
3. Our Father with love is sending
The Christ child to conquer strife.
His mercy to all extending,
He’s bringing everlasting life.
“Be joyful with eyes upturning, beholding the time at hand.”
Click here to listen to the song on the Church’s Music Library.