The Feast of the Epiphany
A weekly Epiphany devotional post for these 8 weeks of witness. Join us!
You can read here for a brief description of the liturgical season of Epiphany, and see previous Epiphany daybook 2018 posts here.
Blessed Epiphany, friends!
Note: If you're reading this in email, the formatting usually looks much better at the website. Just click the post title to get there.
Look:
Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify: Epiphany - The Wise. Add it to your account by clicking ‘Follow.’
Read:
Sunday - Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
Monday (1/7) - Psalm 114, 115; Isaiah 52:3-6; Revelation 2:1-7; John 2:1-11
Tuesday (1/8) - Psalm 112, 113; Isaiah 59:15-21; Revelation 2:8-17; John 4:46-54
Wednesday (1/9) - Psalm 131, 132; Isaiah 63:1-5; Revelation 2:18-29; John 5:1-15
Thursday (1/10) - Psalm 147; Isaiah 65:1-9; Revelation 3:1-6; John 6:1-14
Friday (1/11) - Psalm 91, 92; Isaiah 65:13-16; Revelation 3:7-13; John 6:15-27
Saturday (1/12) - Psalm 98, 99,100; Isaiah 66:1-2, 22-23; Revelation 3:14-22; John 9:1-12, 35-38
Excerpts from Sunday’s readings:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.”
*
”Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!
Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness!
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the children of the needy,
and crush the oppressor!
May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts!
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him!”
*
”This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
*
”Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”
Sunday Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year C). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 1).
Pray:
“O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
Do:
Read “The Journey of the Magi”
Read or listen to a performance of T. S. Eliot’s” The Journey of the Magi”. If you’re an Alec Guiness fan, you can’t go wrong with this version (which includes the text).
Here’s a dramatic reading I found compelling. Here’s a quality version performed by Denis Adide and shot in locations around Bristol.
You can find other activities for Epiphany at this post: 12+ Ways To Keep Celebrating With the Rest of the World (loads of links).
(See all Epiphany Daybook posts from 2018 here.)