An Anthology Of Hymns And Songs For The Sundays Of Epiphany

The music listed in this article covers a broad range of Epiphany themes.

The season of Epiphany can contain four to nine Sundays. It begins January 6 and continues to (but does not include) Ash Wednesday. The season represents Christ's public exposure to the world as light to the Gentiles, as God with us, as Messiah in revealed person. Primary biblical references to the symbolism of this season are (apart from the angelic announcement of his birth) the visit of the magi (Matt. 2:1–3), the infant Christ's presentation at the temple (Luke 2:22), the twelve-year-old Christ among the temple elders (Luke 2:41, 46–47), his baptism at the Jordan (Matt. 3:13–17), his first acts of ministry, and his transfiguration (Mark 9:2–8). Epiphany has a world-directed focus and emphasizes outward commitment, presentation of the gospel, and missions. Churches following the three-year lectionary cycle normally observe three major Epiphany themes in the following order: his baptism, his presentation at the temple, and (the final Sunday after Epiphany) his transfiguration. Seven of the nine compositions below penned by modern composers are based on the Psalms. This feature is a reasonable indication of a larger (and measurable) penchant among Scripture chorus writers to treat the Psalms with special affection. There is some justification in considering the vast body of Christian contemporary praise and worship choruses as a type of American Urban Psalter, a practice that has deep historical roots and precedence. All Praise to You, O Lord John 2:1–2,11 [H. Beadon/C. Lockheart] Carlisle; see H1982:138; wedding at Cana All the Earth Shall Worship Psalm 66:4 [Dave Moody (1989)] see WH-II:333; His authority to the world Arise and Shine in Splendor Isaiah 60:1–6 [Opitz/H. Isaac] Insbruch; see LH:126 As With Gladness Men of Old Matthew 2:1–11 [W. Dix/K. Kocher] Dix; see LH:127, Magi: Visit Behold His Glory Matthew 17:2 [D. Harris (1989)] see WH-II:289; the Transfiguration Brightest and Best of the Stars of Morning Job 38:7, Matthew 2:9 [R. Reber/Leipzig, 1675] Liebster Immanuel; see SBAH:53, the Magi Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning Job 38:7, Matthew 2:9 [R.Reber/J. Harding] Morning Star; see LH:128; the Magi Christ is the World's Light John 8:12 [F. Green/French, 17th C.] Christe Sanctorum; see HS-I:127; Light to the world Christ Upon the Mountain Peak Matthew 17:2 [B. Wren/C. Taylor (1985) B. Wren/P. Cutts (1977)] Mowsley Shillingford; see HS-I:12; the Transfiguration Come, Pure Hearts [Latin Sequence Hymn/Ned Rorem] Pure Hearts; see H-III:158; the Evangelist's testimony of Christ From the Eastern Mountains Matthew 2:1–11 [G. Thring/W. Pitts] Princethorpe; see MNH:140; Magi:visit Hail the Blessed Morn Matthew 2:2 [R. Heber/Southern Harmony (1835)] Star in the East; see HWB:221; early American Hail, Thou Source of Every Blessing Matthew 2:11 [B. Wood/Halle, (1704)] O Durchbrecher; see LH:129; Light to the Gentiles How Beautiful are Their Feet Romans 10:15 [A. Wood, (1790)] Wocester; see NEPT:nn In His Temple Now Behold Him Luke 2:22 [H. Pye/H. Purcell, arr. Gieseke, (1981)] Westminster Abbey; see LW:186; presentation in the temple Jesus Has come and Brings Pleasure [J. Allendorf/Cothen, 1733] Jesus ist Kommen, Grund Ewige Freude; see LW:78 Jesus, Life of All the World John 8:12, 14:6 [M. Clarkson/J. Cruger] Jesu Meine Zuversicht; see HS-I:129; Light to the world Kingdom of God, The Matthew 13:31–32 [G. Grindal/A. Lovelace] Mustard Seed; see HWB:224 Lift High the Cross John 12:32 [G. Kitchin/S. Nicholson (1974)] Crucifer; see CPH:594; Proclaiming Christ Light Our Way John 8:12 [Tom Coomes (1983)] see MMP:13; light to the world Lord is My Light, The Psalm 27:1 [P. Mills (1989)] see WH-II:79; his presence to believers Lord, Who Throughout These 40 Days Matthew 4:1–2 [C. Hernaman/Day's Psalter] St. Flavian; see WB:470: The Temptation March of the Wisemen Matthew 2:1–2 [R. Hamilton (1985)] see P-II:63; magi: visit Now May Thy Servant Luke 2:28–32 [D. Westra/L. Bourgeois] Nunc Dimittis; see PSH:345; presentation in the temple, Simeon's Canticle Nunc Dimittis Luke 2:28–32 [Br. Robert/J. Berthier (1981)] see Taiz:22; mixed-voice and equal-voice options with guitar acct. O God of God; O Light of Light Psalm 43:3 [J. Julian/Stuttgart, 1744] O Grosser Gott; see LH:132; light to the world O God of Light, Your Word a Lamp Unfailing Psalm 119:105 [S. Taylor/D. Evans] Charterhouse; see WB:499 O Jesus, King of Glory Matthew 2:1–12 [M. Behm/M. Teschner] Valet Will Ich Dir Geben; see LH:130; Chorale; numerous organ settings also O Love How Deep, How Broad, How High Ephesians 3:18–19 [T. a Kempis/J. Bingham (1984)] Infinite Love; see SDAH:148; His love to the world O Thou,Who by a Star Didst Guide Matthew 2:2 [J. Neale/H. Hiles] St. Leonard; see SBAH:54; magi: visit O Zion, Haste Isaiah 40:9 [M. Thomson/J. Walch] Tidings; see MH:475; light to the world Proclaim the Power of our God Psalm 68:2,4; 32–34 [D. Holsinger (1989)] WH-II:394; Kingdoms of the earth praise him Send Forth Your Word, O God Psalm 72:8 [M. Price (1991)] Proclamation; see CPH:588; witness to the world Send Me, Lord (Thuma Mina) Isaiah 6:8c [Traditional South African (1989)] see ALYA-I:44; witness to the world Share His Love Matthew 28:18–19 [W. J. Reynolds (1973)] Sullivan; see CPH:567; witness to the world Shine, Jesus, Shine John 1:9; 8:12 [G. Kendrick (1980)] Shine; see CPH:579; light of the world Sing to the Lord Psalm 33:3; Psalm 72:18–19 [M. Chapman (1983)] see MMP:106; witness to the world Sinless One to Jordan Came, The Matthew 3:13 [G. Timms/arr. G. Hancock (1978)] Solemnis Haec Festivitas; see H-III:118b; 1st Sunday after Epiphany Songs of Thankfulness and Praise John 2:1; Matthew 3:13–17 [W. Wordsworth/J. Richardson] Tichfield, Salzburg; see SBAH:55; at the Jordan, at Cana Spirit of the Lord, The Luke 4:18 [E. Stacey (1976)] see WH-I:185; his initial reading at Nazareth Star Carol, The Matthew 2:10 [W. Hutson/A. Burt] Star Carol; see HFG:201 Star Proclaims the King is Here Matthew 2:9 [C. Sedulius/Wittemberg (1535)] Wo Gott Zum Haus; see LH:131; Magi:Visit Stay, Master Matthew 17:4 [S. Greg/J. Wainwright] Yorkshire; see MH:122; the Transfiguration Thou Light of Gentile Nations Luke 2:32 [J. Franck/M. Teschner] Valet Will Ich Dir Geben; see LH:138 Tis Good, Lord, to be Here Matthew 17:4 [J. Robinson/J. S. Bach] Potsdam; see LH:135; the transfiguration To the Glory of Jesus Christ Psalm 119:11 [R. Hamilton (1978)] see P-I:21; Testimony to the world Tu has Venido a la Orilla Matthew 4:19–20 [C. Gabarain/Same (1979)] Pescador de Hombres; HWB:229; Spanish and English texts We've a Story to Tell the Nations Matthew 24:14 [H. Nichol] Message; see CPH: 586; testimony to the world With the Father's House Luke 2:41–52 [J. Woodford/J. Konig] Franconia; see LH:133; the youth Christ at Jerusalem Worship the Lord Psalm 96:9 [Monselle, Steele and Fettke (1985)] Janice; see CPH:115; Magi:Visit; (indirect allusion)