Prepare for the Epiphany of Our Lord (January 6)

Prepare for Worship
Written By Christopher Gillespie

Within the liturgy for each Lord’s day, we receive the Word of God through uniquely appointed readings, psalms, hymns, and prayers. This week we will pray the Office of Matins (audio of this liturgy.) The following guide will help you to prepare to hear and sing the Propers, i.e. the varied texts and hymns for this week.

The Lord God Is Manifested in the Incarnate Son

The Feast of the Epiphany centers in the visit of the Magi from the East. In that respect, it is a "Thirteenth Day" of Christmas; and yet, it also marks the beginning of a new liturgical season. While Christmas has focused on the Incarnation of our Lord--that is, on God becoming flesh--the season of Epiphany emphasizes the manifestation or self-revelation of God in that same flesh of Christ. For the Lord Himself has entered our darkness and rises upon us with the brightness of His true light (Is. 60:1–2). He does so chiefly by His Word of the Gospel, which He causes to be preached within His Church on earth--not only to the Jews but also to Gentiles (Eph. 3:8–10). As the Magi were guided by the promises of Holy Scripture to find and worship the Christ Child with His mother in the house (Matt. 2:5–11), so does He call disciples from all nations by the preaching of His Word, to find and worship Him within His Church (Is. 60:3–6). With gold they confess His royalty; with incense, His deity; and with myrrh, His priestly sacrifice (Matt. 2:11).

Collect of the Day: O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Readings:

Isaiah 60:1–6

Psalm 24

Ephesians 3:1–12

Matthew 2:1–12

Hymns:

409 Hail, O Source of every blessing O Durchbrecher Video

395 O Morning Star, how fair and bright Wie schon leuchtet Video Hymn Study

397 As with gladness men of old Dix Video

398 Hail to the Lord's anointed Freut euch, ihr lieben Video

Christopher Gillespie

The Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie was ordained into the Holy Ministry on July 25, A+D 2010. He and his wife, Anne, enjoy raising their family of ten children in the Lord in southwest Wisconsin. He earned a Masters of Divinity in 2009 from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Christopher also is a freelance recording and media producer. His speciality is recording of classical, choral, band and instrumental music and mastering of all genres of music. Services offered include location multi-track audio recording, live concert capture and production, mastering for CD and web, video production for web.

Also he operates a coffee roasting company, Coffee by Gillespie. Great coffee motivates and inspires. Many favorite memories are often shared over a cup. That’s why we take our coffee seriously. Select the best raw coffee. Roast it artfully. Brew it for best flavor. Coffee by Gillespie, the pride and passion of Christopher Gillespie, was founded to share his own experience in delicious coffee with you.

His many hobbies include listening to music, grilling, electronics, photography, computing, studying theology, and Christian apologetics.

https://outerrimterritories.com
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Prepare for Epiphany 2 (January 20)