Listen to it all.

Everybody knows that Christmas is a season of joy. For one, it has at its heart a birth story. A new and healthy child came into the world, and his family rejoiced. Every birth is a new beginning, a fresh hope. Christmas joy overlaps with the most common of humanity’s great joys.

We tend not to associate joy with Epi­phany. In Epiphany, Christians re­member the visit that the sages from the East made to Bethlehem to honor the newborn Jesus, an act of gentile recognition of Christ’s divinity and mission (Matt. 2:1–12). In this season we also commemorate the first miracle Jesus performed—at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, when Jesus revealed his glory and his disciples believed in him (John 2:1–11). Each of these seemingly unrelated events highlights a crucial aspect of joy.

Read it all.

Earendel at Epiphany.

Hail Earendel,
Brightest of Angels!

It was upon these Old English words that J.R.R. Tolkien stumbled across at his desk in Oxford in 1911, and adopted Earendel for his own use.

Earendel = 'O Oriens', the Advent Antiphon sung at the Winter Solstice. pic.twitter.com/a9pHlXnK04

— Ninefold Kyrie (@Gda1238) January 9, 2024

The Chalking of the Doors is a festive tradition for the Epiphany season, marking the blessing of Christ on the home and all who enter. Moreover, the mysterious Epiphany formula is a sure conversation starter and an evangelical tool. It creates an opening for theological reflection on Christ and his promise of abundant life.

Often, pieces of blessed chalk will be distributed in church on either the Feast of the Epiphany or the First Sunday of Epiphany. It is appropriate to chalk the doorway anytime within the next week. Traditionally, the door is marked on the lintel (that’s the board directly over the door itself on the door frame). A prayer for blessing (or a blessing itself, if a priest is present) is typically said as this is happening. One typical that you can use at home is this (adapted from the Book of Occasional Services):

Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence; bless all who live here with the gift of your love, and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us; and preserve us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.

Saying or singing the Magnificat or the Nunc Dimittis, as well as any other related hymns, are appropriate.

Read it all.

Did you receive chalk in church this weekend? Peter Johnston is here to tell us about the Epiphany tradition of "Chalking the Door," its symbolism, and how it can not only bless us but also be an evangelistic tool to our neighbors. https://t.co/Q0f0ZZMUVH

— Anglican Compass (@AnglicanCompass) January 8, 2024

Lyrics:

All they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense;
and they shall show forth the praises of the Lord. Alleluia.
The Kings of Tharsis and of the isles shall give Him presents;
the Kings of Arabia and Sheba shall bring gifts. Alleluia.

Listen to and ponder it all–more than once.

You may find the full text there (note that the audio is TS Eliot himself reading the poem).

Check them out.

In pictures: Christians across Europe celebrate Epiphany https://t.co/gqPM5Y29gD pic.twitter.com/cnE4TB3riu

— euronews (@euronews) January 6, 2024

O God, who by the shining of a star didst guide the wise men to behold thy Son, our Lord: Show us thy heavenly light, and give us grace to follow until we find him, and, finding him, rejoice. And grant that as they presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh, we now may bring him the offering of a loving heart, an adoring spirit, and an obedient will; for his honour, and for thy glory, O God most high.

—Prayers for the Christian Year (SCM, 1964)

'Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage''
Matthew 2: 1-3 pic.twitter.com/82sjj1M9TK

— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) January 6, 2024

O God, who by the leadings of thy providence didst bring wise men from far to give homage to Jesus, born to be King of all: Help us, who by various ways are led to Christ, humbly and thankfully to adore him with our gifts, and as our costliest treasure to present before him ourselves for his honour and service, now and always.

The Adoration of the Magi by Martin Travers, 1939 at Woodbridge, Suffolk. 'And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him.'

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany, which fell yesterday.… pic.twitter.com/NrNlt64NdP

— Simon Knott (@SimoninSuffolk) January 7, 2024

O God,
who by the leading of a star
manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:
mercifully grant that we,
who know you now by faith,
may at last behold your glory face to face;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

This day is called the Epiphany of the Lord, that is, ‘the day of God’s manifestation’. On this day Christ was manifested to the three kings, who from the eastern part of the world sought him with threefold offerings. Again, after the passage of years, he was manifested to the world on this day at his baptism, when the Holy Ghost, in the form of a dove, rested upon him, and the Father’s voice sounded loudly from heaven, saying, “This is my dear Son, who is well pleasing to me; listen to him.” On this day also he turned water into noble wine, and thereby manifested that he is the true Creator who could change created things. For these three reasons this feast is called God’s Manifestation.

On the first day of his birth he was revealed to three shepherds in the land of Judea, through the announcement of the angel. On the same day he was made known to the three astronomers in the east, through the bright star, but it was on this day they came with their offerings… The eastern astronomers saw a new bright star, not in heaven among other stars, but a lone wanderer between heaven and earth. Then they understood that the wondrous star indicated the birth of the true King in the country over which it glided; and they therefore came to the kingdom of Judea, and sorely frightened the wicked king Herod by their announcement; for without doubt earthly wickedness was confounded, when the heavenly greatness was disclosed.

Read it all.

Symondsbury #Dorset
On the feast of the Epiphany, stained glass depicting the Adoration of the Magi from The Glass House workshop of Lowndes & Drury 1924. Fabulous! pic.twitter.com/VnywIZJ0dP

— Dr Helen Wilson (@NellytheWillow) January 6, 2024

…that this star was not of the common sort, or rather not a star at all, as it seems at least to me, but some invisible power transformed into this appearance, is in the first place evident from its very course. For there is not, there is not any star that moves by this way, but whether it be the sun you mention, or the moon, or all the other stars, we see them going from east to west; but this was wafted from north to south; for so is Palestine situated with respect to Persia.

In the second place, one may see this from the time also. For it appears not in the night, but in mid-day, while the sun is shining; and this is not within the power of a star, nay not of the moon; for the moon that so much surpasses all, when the beams of the sun appear, straightway hides herself, and vanishes away. But this by the excess of its own splendor overcame even the beams of the sun, appearing brighter than they, and in so much light shining out more illustriously.

…[Later in the narrative] it did not, remaining on high, point out the place; it not being possible for them so to ascertain it, but it came down and performed this office. For ye know that a spot of so small dimensions, being only as much as a shed would occupy, or rather as much as the body of a little infant would take up, could not possibly be marked out by a star. For by reason of its immense height, it could not sufficiently distinguish so confined a spot, and discover it to them that were desiring to see it. And this any one may see by the moon, which being so far superior to the stars, seems to all that dwell in the world, and are scattered over so great an extent of earth,””seems, I say, near to them every one. How then, tell me, did the star point out a spot so confined, just the space of a manger and shed, unless it left that height and came down, and stood over the very head of the young child? And at this the evangelist was hinting when he said, “Lo, the star went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.”

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Happy Epiphany to all!
(Master of the Aachen Altar Epiphany. Staatliche Museen, Berlin). #Epiphany #Epiphanie #Berlin pic.twitter.com/DWf9ii7xN4

— Christophe Robin (@XopheRobin) January 6, 2018

Follow the star to the feast of the Epiphany on 6th January!

BL Add MS 37472, f.r @BLMedieval pic.twitter.com/mXuszwSUKa

— Ennius (@red_loeb) January 5, 2024

O God,
who by the leading of a star
manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:
mercifully grant that we,
who know you now by faith,
may at last behold your glory face to face;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Today we're celebrating the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child.

Everyone is welcome to join us at our #Epiphany services, including Sung Eucharist in the Abbey at 5pm: https://t.co/yimqhvvbo0 pic.twitter.com/H0rkPqIS1c

— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) January 6, 2024

How could they have known not to come
On what amounted to pretense? Everything
Their learning held, all their beliefs
Said regal gifts were needful for a king.

The things they brought were left behind,
Doubtless; or maybe traded for bread:
Impecunious Joseph with a family
To feed, a roof to put over his head.

Read it all.

Follow the star to the feast of the Epiphany on 6th January!

BL Add MS 37472, f.r @BLMedieval pic.twitter.com/mXuszwSUKa

— Ennius (@red_loeb) January 5, 2024

O Blessed Jesus, who by the shining of a star didst manifest thyself to them that sought thee: Show thy heavenly light to us, and give us grace to follow until we find thee; finding, to rejoice in thee; and rejoicing, to present to thee ourselves, our souls and bodies, for thy service for evermore: for thine honour and glory.

Today's the feast of the Epiphany (though its celebration is transferred by the church onto tomorrow, the nearest Sunday). 'The Journey of the Magi' by TS Eliot, in three parts:

'"A cold coming we had of it,
Just the worst time of the year
For a journey, and such a long journey:… pic.twitter.com/RpkDeb6Kjx

— Simon Knott (@SimoninSuffolk) January 6, 2024

O Christ our God, who wilt come to judge the world in the manhood which thou hast assumed: We pray thee to sanctify us wholly, that in the day of thy coming we may be raised to live and reign with thee for ever.

South Glensheil Ridge #Scotland @angie_weather @bbcweather @VisitScotland @StormHour @ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/06AMnl3Piy

— James MacInnes (@Macinnesplant) February 17, 2023

‘The blessed Mary offered her sacrifice to God with the child, as it was appointed in God’s law. It was so appointed in the old law, by God’s command, that those who could afford it should bring a lamb of one year old with their child, as an offering to God, and a pigeon or a turtle-dove. But if any woman were so poor that she could not obtain those things, then she should bring two young pigeons or two turtle-doves.

This smaller offering was offered for Christ, that is, the birds, which were the offerings of the poor. The Almighty Son of God was very mindful of our needs in all things; not only did he choose to become man for us, though he was God, but he also chose to become needy for us, though he was mighty, so that he might give us a portion in his kingdom and communion with his divinity. A lamb betokens innocence and the greater kind of goodness; but if we are so wretched that we cannot offer to God that greater goodness, then we should bring him two turtle-doves or two young pigeons; that is, a twofold burgeoning of awe and love. A person experiences this burgeoning in two ways: first, he dreads the torments of hell, and mourns for his sins; then afterwards he feels love to God, and he begins to murmur, and it seems to him too long a time until he shall be taken from the afflictions of this life, and brought to eternal rest.’

Read it all.

Mary and Joseph with the sacrifical doves and Anna and Simeon with the Christ child at the Presentation in the Temple, details of glass by Burlison & Grylls, 1919 at Harringworth, Northamptonshire. Today is Candlemas, the feast of the Presentation. pic.twitter.com/NeakzSiPH6

— Simon Knott (@last_of_england) February 2, 2023

Almighty God, we beseech thee of thy mercy to endue us with the spirit of meekness and patience; so that no evil we may suffer from others may move us to do evil to them, and that we may strive ever to live peaceably with all men; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

–The Rev. James Mountain (1844-1933)

Good morning Twitter friends ❤️☕️❄️👋, lovely sunrise over Northam Burrows in Devon #sunrise #photooftheday #photography #StormHour #ThePhotoHour @VisitDevon #SonyAlpha pic.twitter.com/EVXouWWv9S

— Gary James 📸 🎸 (@Gazpics76) January 25, 2023

Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

View of the Almsee lake #landscape #naturephotography #Almsee #Salzkammergut #Almtal #Grünau #Austria #SonyAlpha 🤍 pic.twitter.com/3s8Yx2lehW

— CloudWalker 📸 (@Angelika13913) January 22, 2023

There is also more there.

Today's pick: Caravaggio: St John the Baptist (1604) https://t.co/4GpRchR5GI pic.twitter.com/n9obXdpmzL

— Art and the Bible (@artbible) May 7, 2021

Almighty God, who hast set in thy Church some with gifts to teach and help and administer, in diversity of operation but of the same Spirit: Grant to all such, we beseech thee, grace to wait on the ministry which they have received in the body of Christ with simplicity, diligence, and cheerfulness; that none may think of himself more highly than he ought to think, and none may seek another man’s calling, but rather to be found faithful in his own work; to the glory of thy name in Christ Jesus our Lord.

–The Rev. H. J. Wotherspoon [1850-1930], Kyrie eleison (“Lord, have mercy”): A Manual of Private Prayers (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1905)

Good morning from #waterfrontpark #pineapplefountain #charleston #sunrise #SCwx @WeatherFlowCHAS @RobStormTeam2 @livlawrencewx @gracelowewx @joshmarthers @GarofaloWX @chswx @weatherchannel @WeatherNation @NWSCharlestonSC @ExploreCHS pic.twitter.com/iRAj3uvrLY

— Ken Bowman (@kenbowmanphoto) January 18, 2023

O Thou, who givest to thy children liberally and upbraidest not: Preserve us from all envy at the good of our neighbour, and from every form of jealousy. Teach us to rejoice in what others have and we have not, to delight in what they achieve and we cannot accomplish, to be glad in all that they enjoy and we do not experience; and so fill us daily more completely with love; through him in whom thou hast promised to supply all our need, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Enjoy your day!😊❄️💕❄️ pic.twitter.com/3lssILq8hq

— Anne Grete Hagby (@AHagby) January 17, 2023

O Lord Jesus, who by thy first miracle didst manifest thy glory, so that thy disciples believed on thee: Give us in our measure that faith which dwelt in them. Fill us with the riches of thy good Spirit; change thou our earthly desires into the image of thine own purity and holiness; and finally give us a place at thy heavenly feast; for the glory of thy holy name.

Morning everyone hope you are well. Rydal Boathouse towards Wansfell. Have a great day. #LakeDistrict @keswickbootco @ShowcaseCumbria pic.twitter.com/iKWp6Din3n

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) January 16, 2023

Almighty God, the giver of strength and joy: Change, we beseech thee, our bondage into liberty, and the poverty of our nature into the riches of thy grace; that by the transformation of our lives thy glory may be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Good morning Sunday .. have a wonderful , relaxed and blessed one all ✨💫🥰🙏❤️ leave you with this beautiful scenery from green Isle of Skye #Sunday #photo #relaxed #blessed #photooftheday #goodmorning #nature #Scotland @VisitScotland @StormHour @ThePhotoHour pic.twitter.com/e4hGwMdkHh

— Dr.P_78Glasgow (@AbhaPaulina) January 15, 2023

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst sit lowly in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions: Give unto thy servants that humility of heart, and willingness to learn, without which no man can find wisdom; to the glory of thy holy Name.

—Daily Prayer, Eric Milner-White and G. W. Briggs, eds. (London: Penguin Books 1959 edition of the 1941 original)

O Blessed Lord, who in the days of thy earthly childhood didst earnestly desire to be about thy Father’s business: Give us the grace of thy Holy Spirit early to seek thee and evermore to follow thee; that being continuously aided by thy grace, we may be exercised in thy service; who livest and reignest with the Holy Spirit, world without end.

pic.twitter.com/R34v7SZgDz

— The Whitby Photographer (@WhitbyPhotos) January 13, 2023

Lyrics:

All they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense;
and they shall show forth the praises of the Lord. Alleluia.
The Kings of Tharsis and of the isles shall give Him presents;
the Kings of Arabia and Sheba shall bring gifts. Alleluia.

Everybody knows that Christmas is a season of joy. For one, it has at its heart a birth story. A new and healthy child came into the world, and his family rejoiced. Every birth is a new beginning, a fresh hope. Christmas joy overlaps with the most common of humanity’s great joys.

We tend not to associate joy with Epi­phany. In Epiphany, Christians re­member the visit that the sages from the East made to Bethlehem to honor the newborn Jesus, an act of gentile recognition of Christ’s divinity and mission (Matt. 2:1–12). In this season we also commemorate the first miracle Jesus performed—at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, when Jesus revealed his glory and his disciples believed in him (John 2:1–11). Each of these seemingly unrelated events highlights a crucial aspect of joy.

Read it all.

It's the Feast of the Epiphany so we've been celebrating with Rembrandt's 'Adoration of the Magi' | Painted in 1632 | pic.twitter.com/2OXbHHwXhW

— The Studio at MBDS (@MBDS_News) January 6, 2015

O Thou, in whom we live and move and have our being: We offer and present unto thee ourselves, all that we are and have, our thoughts and our desires, our words and our deeds, to be a living and continual sacrifice. We are not our own; therefore we would glorify thee in our bodies and our spirits, which are thine; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty God, who to wise men who sought him didst manifest the Incarnation of thy Son by the bright shining of a star: Grant that, as they presented unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh, so we also out of our treasures may offer to him ourselves, a living sacrifice acceptable in thy sight; through him who for our sakes was born on earth as a little child, Jesus Christ our Lord.