The Feast of the Epiphany, also called the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, celebrates an event recorded in St. Matthew's Gospel. Wise Men from the East, presumably from what would have been the Parthian (or Persian) Empire, and were Gentiles who wished to pay homage to and worship the newborn Christ. This act, recorded in a Gospel which was presumably written by a Jewish Christian for fellow Jews, shows that there have been Gentiles who have recognized Christ as their Lord and Saviour since he was an infant, and as such, should be welcoming to Gentile Christians.
The gifts Wise Men bring have significance:
- Gold, as he is a King,
- Frankincense, as he is a Priest, and
- Myrrh, for anointing his body for burial.
This feast is celebrated 12 days after Christmas Day, however, Matthew's Gospel does not record when this event happened.
The following is taken from:
- The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Book Centre, Toronto © The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, 1962, Used without permission.
- The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Edited by Francis Burgess, originally produced by the Plainchant and Mediaeval Music Society, Royal School of Church Music, Dorking.
Antiphon: Malachi 3 Behold, he appeareth, the Lord and Ruler: and in his hand the kingdom, and power, and dominion.
Verse: Psalm 72 Give the King thy judgements, O God: and thy righteousness unto the King's Son.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Repeat the Antiphon Behold, he appeareth, the ...
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 26-27
O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles: Mercifully grant, that we, who know thee now by faith, may be led onward through this earthly life, until we see the vision of thy heavenly glory; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 117
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles; if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given unto me for your sakes: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ, by the Gospel: whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be made known, through the Church, the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Ephesians 3:1-12 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 117-118
Isaiah 60 All they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and incenses: and shall shew forth the praises of the Lord. Arise and shine, O Jerusalem: for the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Matthew 2 We have seen his star in the East: and are come with offerings to worship the Lord. Alleluia.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 26-27
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them, where the Christ was to be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Art not the least among the princes of Judah: For out of thee shall come a Governor That shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go, and search diligently for the young child, and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Matthew 2:1-12 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 118-119
Psalm 72 The Kings of Tharsis and of the isles shall give presents; the Kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts: all Kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall do him service.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 26-27
Upon the Epiphany, and seven days after.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who, in substance of our mortal flesh, manifested forth his glory, that he might bring us out of darkness into his own marvellous light. Therefore with Angels, etc.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 79
Matthew 2 We have seen his star in the East: and are come with offerings to worship the Lord.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 26-27
Morning Prayer
| Psalm(s): | 87, 93 |
|---|---|
| First Lesson: | Isaiah 49:1-13 |
| Second Lesson: | Luke 3:15-22 |
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Evening Prayer
| Psalm(s): | 72 |
|---|---|
| First Lesson: | Isaiah 60:9-end |
| Second Lesson: | John 2:1-11 |
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For the Ferial Days
| Morning Prayer | Evening Prayer | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Lesson | Second Lesson | First Lesson | Second Lesson | |
| Monday | Amos 1 | Matthew 5:17-end | Amos 2 | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 |
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| Tuesday | Amos 3 | Matthew 6:1-18 | Amos 4 | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 |
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| Wednesday | Amos 5 | Matthew 6:19-end | Amos 6 | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-end |
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| Thursday | Amos 7 | Matthew 7 | Amos 8 | 2 Thessalonians 1 |
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| Friday | Amos 9 | Matthew 8:1-17 | Micah 1 | 2 Thessalonians 2 |
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| Saturday | Micah 2 | Matthew 8:18-end | Micah 3 | 2 Thessalonians 3 |
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The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages xviii, xix and l
Two services may be preformed
O Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ did take our nature upon him, and was baptized for our sakes in the river Jordan: Mercifully grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may also be partakers of thy Holy Spirit; through him whom thou didst send to be our Saviour and Redeemer, even the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles: Mercifully grant, that we, who know thee now by faith, may be led onward through this earthly life, until we see the vision of thy heavenly glory; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 119
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgement unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgement in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Isaiah 42:1-8 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 120
The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; and preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in JorDaniel And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Mark 1:1-11 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 120-121
With the following optional chants from English Gradual
Antiphon: Psalm 67 God be merciful unto us, and bless us: and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us: that thy way may be known upon the earth, thy saving health among all nations.
Verse: Ibid Let the people praise thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Repeat the Antiphon God be merciful unto ...
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 209-216
Almighty and everlasting God, who desirest not the death of sinners, but rather that they may turn unto thee and live: Deliver the nations of the world from superstition and unbelief, and gather them all into thy holy Church, to the praise and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles: Mercifully grant, that we, who know thee now by faith, may be led onward through this earthly life, until we see the vision of thy heavenly glory; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 121
What saith the Scripture? Near is the word, in thy mouth and in thy heart, even the word which we proclaim. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth that Jesus is Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved; for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord of all is rich unto all that call upon him; for Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!
Romans 10.8-15 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 121-122
Psalm 67 Let all the people praise thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise thee. God shall bless us: and all the ends of the world shall fear him.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Psalm 100 O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song. Alleluia.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 209-216
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority is given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you all the days, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28.16-20 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 122
Psalm 96 Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people; ascribe unto the Lord worship and power: ascribe unto the Lord the honour due unto his Name; O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 209-216
Psalm 117 O praise the Lord, all ye heathen; praise him, all ye nations: for his merciful kindness is ever more and more towards us; and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 209-216