Day 290 | Sunday, 3 January 2021

Day 290 - Audio Version

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Day 290 | Sunday, 3 January 2021

 Even though we are still in the Christmastide season, the lectionary gives us readings for the Sunday closest to Epiphany.  The assigned Scripture readings for this Epiphany Sunday are:  Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 71:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12 and Matthew 2:1-12.

(From the Message)
 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory - this was during Herod's kingship - a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East.

2 They asked around, "Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him."

3 When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified - and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well.

4 Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?"

5 They told him, "Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly:

6 It's you, Bethlehem, in Judah's land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel."

7 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared.

8 Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, "Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I'll join you at once in your worship."

9 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child.

10 They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

12 In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.
 

“We Three Kings” words: John H, Hopkins, Jr. 1857 (Mt. 2:1-12)
 
1.   “We three Kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.  (Refrain) O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.”

2.   “Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown him again King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.” (Refrain) O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.”

3.   “Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a Deity nigh; prayer and praising, voices raising, worshiping God on high.” (Refrain) O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.”

4.   “Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb,” (Refrain) O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.”
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5.   “Glorious now behold him arise; King and God and sacrifice: Alleluia, Alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies.”  (Refrain) O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.”