“The Father of Lights”
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
Brian Moss Vers - mp3 | leadsheet | lyrics
High Street Hymns Vers – mp3
Matthew Smith Vers - mp3
Go, Tell it On the Mountain
mp3 | leadsheet | other versions
Glory Be to God on High (Benedict arr.)
mp3 | leadsheet
Hail to the Lord’s Annointed (The Welcome Wagon)
mp3 | leadsheet (link to buy)
Jesus Came, the Heaven’s Adoring (Benedict arr.)
mp3 | leadsheet
Jesus, the Light of the World (Old Gospel Tune)
mp3 | leadsheet
Joy to the World (trad.)
mp3 | leadsheet
Here I am to Worship (Light of the World)
mp3 | leadsheet
Light of Light, Enlighten Me (Partain arr.)
mp3 | Chords | lead sheet | info
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
Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light (Pressley Arr.)
mp3 | leadsheet | info
When Christ’s Appearing Was Made Known (Benedict arr.)
mp3 | lead-sheet | other versions
Other Texts:
O King of Glory, David’s Son (Winkworth)
Christ, our True and Only Light (Winkworth)
From the Eastern Mountains (G. Thring)
Hail, Thou Source of Ev’ry Blessing (Woodd)
More texts from the Oremus Hymnal
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Texts for Epiphany
Isaiah 60:1-12 | Psalm 19 & 72
Matthew 2: 1-12 | John 8:12
Romans 15:5-13 | Ephesians 3:1-12
Titus 2:11-14 | Revelation 21:22-26
