Most churches celebrate the season of Christmas. The messages, music and decor reflect the themes, content, and traditions of the ’season.’ In a traditional church calendar the season of ‘Epiphany’ follows Christmas (The 1st Sunday after Jan 6). Epiphany can be a wonderful tonic for the naivete and sentimentality that creeps so wholeheartedly into many of our holiday celebrations. Epiphany looks forward to the glory of the incarnation as revealing God’s light and will for his creation in Christ before all the nations of the world. Our word epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning “manifestation or appearance,” and in church history this word has become closely associated with the revelation of Christ in connection with the visit of the Magi. Here are a few songs besides the traditional carols that I have found helpful in carrying a holiday-dozed congregation into the glory of our King.
Songs for Epiphany
At the Name of Jesus (Gilley arr.)
mp3 | leadsheet
Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning (Star of the East)
mp3 | leadsheet | capo | Southern Harmony Image
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (B. Moss arr.)
mp3 | leadsheet | lyrics
Glory Be to God on High (Benedict arr.)
mp3 | leadsheet
Jesus Came, the Heaven’s Adoring (Benedict arr.)
mp3 | leadsheet
Joy to the World (trad.)
mp3 | leadsheet
Here I am to Worship (Light of the World)
mp3 | leadsheet
O Christ, Our King, Creator Lord (B. Brooks arr.)
mp3 | leadsheet
Prepare Ye the Way (Derek Webb)
mp3 | chart
They Came Bearing Gifts (Benedict arr.)
mp3 | leadsheet
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Texts for Epiphany
John 8:12
Romans 15:5-13
Titus 2:11-14
Revelation 21:22-26
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I’m definitely bookmarking this list for next year. This year I’m slowly adding liturgical themes into the services here at Redeemer, and planning on going more explicit next year. I’m considering this my practice year. Thanks so much for the resources, Bruce.
Great list.
I’ve uploaded a setting and a lead sheet for At the Name of Jesus to the traditional tune King’s Weston (arr. by Ralph Vaughan Williams) to my website to supplement your list.
http://www.psalmsandhymns.com/2010/01/05/at-the-name-of-jesus-2/
Also, the hymn “From the Eastern Mountains” is the same meter as “At the Name of Jesus” and is another fitting Epiphany text.
>Gather in the outcasts, all who’ve gone astray,
>Throw Thy radiance o’er them, guide them on their way.
>Those who never knew Thee, those who’ve wandered far,
>Guide them by the brightness of Thy guiding star.