Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
Today, January 6, 2021 is when the Christian Church celebrates the Feast of The Epiphany of Our Lord. This post is devoted to one of the Feast Days that the historic Christian Church observed that is sometimes neglected today. I pray that you find this message beneficial in your devotions this or another day.
“The feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord commemorates no event but presents an idea that assumes concrete form only through the facts of our Lord’s life. The idea of Epiphany is that the Christ who was born in Bethlehem is recognized by the world as God. At Christmas, God appears as man, and at Epiphany, this man appears before the world, as God. That Christ became man needed no proof. But that this man, the helpless child, is God needed proof. The manifestations of the Trinity, the signs and wonders performed by this man, and all His miracles have the purpose of proving to men that Jesus is God. Lately, especially in the Western Church, the story of the Magi has been associated with this feast day. As Gentiles, who were brought to faith in Jesus Christ, the Magi represent all believers from the Gentile world.” 1
The verse or theme for this feast is “Alleluia. Where is He who had been born king of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him. Alleluia.” It is from Matthew 2:2b.
Old Testament Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm Psalm 72:1-15 (antiphon v. 18)
Epistle Ephesians 3:1-12
Gospel Matthew 2:1-12
The hymn appointed for this day is “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright” as found on page 395 in the Lutheran Service Book. You may listen to a beautiful acapella rendition of this hymn recorded at an LCMS-U event by following this link: O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright – YouTube
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 the You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Pastor Jim Tuell
1 Treasury of Daily Prayer, Scot A Kinnaman, General Editor, Concordia Publishing House, Saint Louis, MO., 2008, p, 1094.
