Category Archives: Epiphany

Epiphany Resources 2021

Star of Bethlehem Quilt, circa 1835, Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Epiphanytide Sunday Lectionary Readings (Year B)

Epiphany of the Lord (January 6): Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Eph. 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

First Sunday after the Epiphany – Baptism of the Lord: Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11

Second Sunday after the Epiphany: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 11-20; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51

Third Sunday after the Epiphany: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:5-12;1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

Presentation of the Lord in the Temple: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 84; Psalm 24:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

Transfiguration Sunday: 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

Poetry

Poems for Epiphanytide by Christina Rossetti

“Jesus’ Baptism” by Malcolm Guite

A Poem for Epiphany” by Kate Compston

Resource Links

Epiphanytide Collects from the Book of Common Prayer

The Showing Forth of Christ by John Donne

Quote For Epiphanytide by J.R.R. Tolkein

Archived Posts for Epiphanytide from The Liturgy Letter

Music

Three Black Kings (Les trois rois noirs) by Duke Ellington. Read more about this piece here.

Bethlehem Down by Peter Warlock. Read the lyrics here.

In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti. Music by Gustav Holst.

Nunc dimittis by Caleb Burhans

Journey of the Magi, James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Sixth Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)

Purity of Heart in Human Relationships

“To look with lust violates relationships. To swear an oath disguises God’s mercy. The law of God is a pattern against pretense. It affects how we perceive others, the relationships that we enter, and what comes forth from our mouths. The lesson is twofold: let how we behave be obedient, and let what we say have integrity.”

-Rev. James Kirk, When We Gather: Prayers for Worship

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 119:1-8
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Matthew 5:21-37

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fifth Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)

City on a Hill
“How do we please God? By caring for the poor and working toward justice (Isaiah 58:1-9,12), exhibiting courage, fearing the Lord and following his commandments (Psalm 112:1-9,10) and living in the Spirit, depending on the power of God rather than the power of rhetoric (1 Corinthians 2:1-12,13-16). In this way, we become the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-20).”
– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)

Blessed in Weakness

“God asks that we practice love, justice, kindness and humility (Micah 6:1-8). We are to be truthful, not slander others, protect the innocent and do what is right (Psalm 15). God shows his strength through what the world considers weak or despised, so that he might be glorified (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). Thus, he calls “blessed” the poor in spirit, the meek, those who mourn, and the persecuted (Matthew 5:1-12).” 

– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Third Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)

Christ the Light

God sent Jesus to be the light of the world. He is our light and our salvation (Isaiah 9:1-4) who cares for us in times of trouble (Psalm 27:1, 4-9). Christians should seek to cultivate peace (1 Corinthians 1:10-18), repenting of sins and turning to follow Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:12-23). He reveals himself in the midst of our ordinary lives and calls for us to follow him.

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Second Sunday after Epiphany 2020 (Year A)

Light to the Nations
“God promises us that his salvation will reach to the end of the earth (Is 49:1-7); he sent his only son Jesus, to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29-42). Because of God’s grace and mercy toward us, we put our trust in him (Psalm 40:1-11) and look to the second coming of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:1-9). “
– Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany 2019 (Year C)

Wait for God’s Salvation / Extend Forgiveness and Mercy

Forgiveness and mercy accompany God’s plan to prosper and protect his people (Genesis 45:3-11,15). We are called to trust in God and wait for his salvation in the midst of those who reject God and his ways (Psalm 37:1-11,39-40). We must go the extra mile to love our enemies and extend mercy (Luke 6:27-38). For we know that we will one day inherit imperishable bodies and that our suffering will come to an end (1 Cor. 15:35-38,42-50). 

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany 2019 (Year C)

Trust the Risen Christ

Those who trust in God and follow his ways (Jeremiah 17:5-10) are like trees planted next to water (Psalm 1). Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, so our faith is confirmed and we are compelled to share this gospel (1 Corinthians 15:12-20). Jesus came to bring hope to the oppressed and warning to those who trust in riches and worldly acclaim (Luke 6:17-26).

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany 2019 (Year C)

The Holy Love of God

“The holiness of God reminds us of our own sin and the need for salvation (Isaiah 6:1-13). Even in the middle of trouble, God’s steadfast love and watchful care protect us (Psalm 138), and his grace toward us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ offers us eternal salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-11). Just as Christ urged Simon Peter to do, we must share this good news with others (Luke 5:1-11).”
– Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany 2019 (Year C)

Love That Chooses to Suffer

“God is with us; he is our fortress and rock of refuge (Psalm 71:1-6). He knew us before we were born (Jeremiah 1:4-10). Because of his love for us, we are to love others with a patient, kind and enduring love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13). This love was shown to us by Christ, who came to earth as a man and endured threats and abuse and finally, death, so that we might live with him eternally (Luke 4:21-30).” – Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional

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