A Traditional Protestant Epiphany Service

The following service is a creative adaptation of the traditional pattern and texts for worship on Epiphany. It will be of particular help for those who plan more formal Epiphany worship. For others, the commentary included with this service will provide a guide to thoughtful planning for the Advent season. The principal theme of an Epiphany service of worship is rooted in the paschal mystery and the redemption which it brings to the world. The coming of the magi to pay homage to Jesus (the theme of the Epiphany gospel reading of Matt. 2:1-12) is no mere interesting tale with a moral, but a story that speaks to the very essence of the gospel and its redemptive motif. For it has to do with the extension of salvation to the Gentiles and is proclaimed in the Epiphany service as the fulfillment of the Old Testament reading for the day: "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of you…