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Invitation to Worship
The Lord, manifest today, come let us adore him!
O Holy One,+ open my lips.
~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
The rulers of Earth will fall prostrate,
~and all nations will serve him.
Epiphany Morning Hymn
What star is this with beam so bright, More beauteous than the noonday light?
It heralds forth the King of kings, and Gentiles to his cradle brings.
See now fulfilled what God decreed, “From Jacob shall a star proceed.”
And eastern sages with amaze Upon the wondrous vision gaze.
The guiding star above is bright, Within them shines a clearer light,
Which leads them on with pow’r benign To seek the giver of the sign.
True love can brook no dull delay, Nor toil nor dangers stop their way;
Home, kindred, country-land and all They leave at their Creator’s call.
While now the shining star of grace Draws us, O Christ, to seek thy face,
Let not our lazy hearts refuse The guidance of that star to use.
To God, the Abba, heav’nly Light, to Christ, revealed in earthly might.
To God the Breath of Love we raise Our equal and unceasing praise.
Psalmody
Antiphon 1
A Son before the Daystar, and Lord before the stirring of time,
today our Savior has appeared to the world.
Psalm 71/72a
O God, give our leader right judgment
your justice to those who rule,
that they may judge your people with justice,
and do right for those without power.
May the mountains bear peace for the people;
the hills, bring forth justice.
May the ruler defend the poor
and set all their children free.
May God’s chosen live as long as the sun
as long as the moon, forever.
May God’s anointed be like rain on the meadow,
like showers that soak the earth.
In whose days justice shall flourish
and peace till the moon be no more.
May this rule be from sea to sea
from the Great River to the ends of the Earth.
Enemies will stumble and fall,
foes will lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and the islands
will bring and offer their riches.
Kings of Sheba, and Seba
will carry their gifts.
All rulers of peoples lie prostrate;
and nations be ready to serve.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore, Amen.
A Son before the Daystar, and Lord before the stirring of time,
today our Savior has appeared to the world.
Antiphon 2
Opening their treasures the Wise Men offered the Lord
gold, frankincense and myrrh, alleluia.
Psalm 71/72b
God’s Anointed will save the poor when they cry
and the needy who are helpless,
Will show compassion towards the weak
and save the lives of those with nothing,
Rescuing their lives from oppression,
lives so precious and dear.
The poor will pray for such a ruler:
Long life! And all the gold of Sheba!
They will pray without ceasing–
“May God bless your reign forever!”
May wheat be thick in the fields
and spread to the peaks of the mountains.
May fruit trees sway on the slopes,
and peoples flourish in the cities.
May the name of our Sovereign live forever,
and shine as bright as the sun.
May all peoples find blessing in this reign,
and bless those who follow God’s way.
Blessed be Israel’s God,
Adonai of wonderful deeds!
Blessed be the glorious Name,
May God’s glory fill the Earth, Amen!
Opening their treasures the Wise Men offered the Lord
gold, frankincense and myrrh, alleluia.
Antiphon 3
All the nations that you have made
shall come and worship before you, O Lord.
Canticle from Isaiah 60
Arise Jerusalem, rise clothed in light
your light has come and the glory of Adonai shines over you.
Though darkness covers the earth
and dark night the nations,
Adonai shall shine upon you
and over you God’s glory shall appear;
and the nations shall march toward your light
and their monarchs march to your sunrise.
Lift up your eyes and look all around:
they flock together, all of them and come to you;
your sons also shall come from afar,
your daughters walking beside them or leading the way.
Then shall you see and shine with joy,
then your heart shall thrill with pride:
the riches of the sea shall be lavished on you
and yours will be the wealth of the nations.
Camels in droves shall cover your land,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah,
all coming from Sheba laden with golden spice and frankincense,
all heralds of the praise of Adonai!
The sun shall no longer be your light by day,
nor the moon shine on you when evening falls;
Adonai shall be your everlasting Light,
Your God shall be your glory.
Glory to the Abba and to the Word
and to the Breath of Love
as always before
so now and evermore. Amen.
All the nations that you have made
shall come and worship before you, O Lord.
READING Matthew 2: 9-11
The Magi set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they found the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Responsory
R. Many came from distant lands, Alleluia, Alleluia! V. Bringing frankincense and gold. Alleluia, Alleluia! V. Glory to the Abba, and the Word and the Breath of Love. R. Many came from distant lands, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Canticle of Zachariah
Antiphon
Today the Church received a heav’nly Spouse:
for Christ was baptized in the Jordan,
the Magi came with gifts to the regal wedding, and
water was made into wine, to enhance the celebration.
Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,
Who visits this people to set us free
Raising for us a sign of salvation
In the house and family of David.
God promised throughout past ages
In words of holy prophets
To save us from our enemies,
And from the control of our oppressors.
Adonai favored our ancestors
And remembered the sacred covenant.
The pledge to Abraham and Sarah
Is now renewed for us;
That freed from the grip of our foes
We might worship without fear
And be both just and holy
For the rest of our days.
And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”
Will go ahead to prepare the way,
By teaching this people of salvation
Through forgiveness of their sins.
For the loving compassion of the Holy One
As the Rising Sun will shine upon us
To illumine the darkness and dispel death’s shadow
To Guide our feet on the way of peace.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Today the Church received a heav’nly Spouse:
for Christ was baptized in the Jordan,
the Magi came with gifts to the regal wedding, and
water was made into wine, to enhance the celebration.
Litany of Intercession
Paying close attention to the natural world, the Magi noticed your new star at its rising, ~may we be tuned in to the beauty and wonder of the universe in all its complexity and paradox.
For the Magi, the night sky was not only beautiful to behold, it excited their imaginations and sent them on a quest to discover what new things You were doing in their day;
~ deepen our sense of wonder and curiosity about all that You are doing in the world today.
The Magi were wise enough to know that the old story is not the whole story;
~open our hearts, souls and minds to the new and evolving reality of your reign of justice and peace.
Seeking to make sense of what they had seen and heard, the Magi did not hesitate to consult the wisdom-tradition of the people of Israel; ~deepen our commitment to shared Wisdom and to the search for Truth everywhere and from everyone.
The scribes and elders consulted the ancient texts which indicated the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem; ~ may our quest to find You be informed not only by our sacred texts and traditions, but by that which is being born and happening right here and now.
Every atom in our bodies was forged in the fiery belly of a star who lived, died and gave itself back to the universe; ~may we learn this Wisdom of God, manifest in the stars and in Jesus of Nazareth, and live and die in harmony with everything else going on in the universe.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
O Holy One, Source, Guide and Goal of all that is, by the light of a star you revealed to the nations that something new and wonderful had taken place in the birth of Jesus, your Word-made-flesh. Fill us with His Light so that our lives may reflect the majestic beauty of your Wisdom and Love and all people and all creation will be drawn to freedom and fullness of life. Amen.
May the Word made flesh, full of grace and truth + bless us and all of creation. ~Amen
Let us bless the world with peace. ~And give thanks to God.