Epiphany falls on Wednesday the 6th of January this year. For those who celebrate it on this day, the first Sunday in January would be Christmas 2C. However, for many churches, the Epiphany celebration will be held on Sunday January 3rd, and it is with this in mind that I have prepared these resources. If you need resources for Christmas 2, I’m afraid I won’t be able to provide any here, but there is a really good list of links at The Text This Week. I hope this will meet your needs.
The focus of Epiphany, as usual, is the visit of the Magi. The other readings, though, add some wonderful nuances and textures to this story, emphasising the inclusivity of Christ and the priority of God for justice and for defending the least. In a world where faith is often used to exclude and exploit, and with the tough conflicts and divisions across our planet, the Epiphany message is a timely word.
READINGS:
Isaiah 60:1-6: The light of God’s glory and God’s goodness shines on God’s people.
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14: A prayer for God’s love of justice to fill God’s king, who will then defend the poor and rescue the oppressed.
Ephesians 3:1-12: In Christ both Jews & Gentiles enjoy the riches of God’s blessings.
Matthew 2:1-12: Wise men from the East arrive, worship the Christ-Child and present him with fine gifts.
REFLECTIONS ON THEME:
The Festival of Epiphany reveals to us who this Christ is that has incarnated himself among us. There are two clear revelations that would have been startling for the first readers of Matthew’s Gospel. The first is that the Messiah has come inclusively – for all people: Jew AND Gentile, Wealthy AND Poor, Oppressed AND Oppressor. This inclusivity is a significant aspect of the scandal of the Gospel. The second revelation is the mind-bending truth that has traditionally been seen as reflected in the Wise Men’s gifts: This Child is Royalty (gold), Divinity (frankincense), and yet, also, self-giving Sacrifice (myrrh). All of these passages call us into praise for God’s inclusive incarnation!
CONNECTING WITH LIFE:
GLOBAL APPLICATION: Defensiveness and otherness are two of the main characteristics of today’s political, social, economic and relational world. In the quest for self-development, human beings have increasingly seen their individual selves as distinct from and “other than” other people. Businesses work hard to “distinguish” themselves form their competitors and even nations work hard to identify themselves, drawing boundaries, naming enemies and allies, and putting huge investments into defending what is “uniquely theirs”. Epiphany, scandalously reveals that Christ crosses all of these boundaries, refusing to be defensive or self-protective, and refusing to draw lines separation. This incarnate Messiah draws all creation together into one, and gives up his own safety, security and comfort in order to do it.
LOCAL APPLICATION: Every church community, and every person, longs for the light of God’s glory and blessing to shine on them. This longing often leads us into trying to earn God’s blessing through legalism, doctrinal purity or separation from those who are considered “unrighteous”. Too often faith becomes something exclusive, something to defend against others who see things differently. Epiphany reveals an alternative view of God’s glory – that in Christ’s incarnation God’s glory and blessing are already ours – not something to earn; and that the experience of God’s glory is found in connection and sharing with others, while protecting and defending the least. It is a good discipline to ask: “Who needs to be included in our community right now?” and “Who needs to be protected?” – two questions that necessarily call us to emulate Christ’s self-sacrifice in our own lives.
RESOURCES FOR WORSHIP:
Prayers:
About The Light
Light And Glory
Who Are You, Jesus?
Hymns:
What Child Is This?
We Three Kings
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Christ From Whom All Blessings Flow
Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken
Marvelous Light (Listen to preview here)
Shine Jesus Shine (Link to YouTube video)
Here I Am To Worship (Link to YouTube video)
How Great Is Our God (Link to New Song Cafe’ YouTube video)
Open Our Eyes, Lord (Link to YouTube video)
Open The Eyes Of My Heart, Lord (Link to YouTube video)
Liturgy:
A Liturgy For The Breaking Of Bread
Video:
Psalm 72 (From TheWorkOfThePeople.com)
To Know The Creator (From WorshipHouseMedia.com)
Images:
Word And Table – Epiphany PowerPoint
Word And Table – Another Epiphany PowerPoint
Wise Men And Star Still (From WorshipHouseMedia.com)
Just wanted to say how much I get from your service resources, I am a Methodist Local Preacher in West Lancashire, England and now start my service preparation with your website. I love your language and the music you offer is often very moving I have used it in one or two of my services. The prayers are really good, I always think that to write meaningful prayers is a gift as is music and I only use those that touch my heart in the hope that they will reach out to those I lead in worship. Many thanks and may God continue to bless you in your ministry.
Merle Bradley