Carol of the Epiphany

The church has a history and tradition of celebrating Epiphany -- even before it celebrated Christmas. Epiphany literally means manifestation, and we observe the coming of God, the manifestation of the divine, in human form -- the baby Jesus. For centuries, its themes have included the birth of Jesus, his baptism, the incarnation, and the three wise men (magi or kings) and their gifts. It often includes an emphasis on missions and evangelism -- telling the gospel story. It also often includes a missional emphasis on serving and ministering to the poor, the disadvantaged, the marginalized.

Although there are familiar Epiphany hymns, they don't enjoy the same popularity and use that the beloved Christmas carols enjoy. The Epiphany hymn that is probably the best known and most often sung is "We Three Kings" (United Methodist Hymnal, 254). In the carol's first printing in 1857, performance suggestions included the first and fifth stanzas sung as a trio by the kings, with each king taking one of the other stanzas as a solo.

John Bell of the Iona Community of Scotland wrote words and music for a new Epiphany carol, titled simply "Carol of the Epiphany" (The Faith We Sing, 2094). As with the older "We Three Kings," it is based on the gospel reading for Epiphany, Matthew 2:1-12, in which King Herod hears of the star in the East and the child born king of the Jews. He sends the Magi to find the child so that he, Herod, may also worship him. The Magi make the journey, find Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, offer their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but return to their country after being warned in a dream not to return to Herod. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt until Herod's death. Herod's response is to slaughter all the children around Bethlehem under two years of age. Only after Herod's death do Joseph, Mary, and Jesus return to Israel.

The "Carol of the Epiphany" is similarly structured to "We Three Kings," but its content is quite different. Stanzas one, two, and three should be sung by a different soloist. Stanza four should be sung by the trio and not the first soloist (as incorrectly called for in The Faith We Sing). Stanza five may be sung by the trio or by the entire congregation.

"We Three Kings" emphasizes the distinct gifts of the Magi and their worship of the new-born baby king. "Carol of the Epiphany" does not emphasize Magi or gifts. Instead it places the seekers of Christ in places where they will not find him:

• Among those with fine clothes, money, and status, because Jesus never chose power and wealth.
• In safe places, removed from crime and disgrace, because Jesus did not choose a safe life. He was always in jeopardy.
• In the company of the famous, in the spotlight, because Jesus chose obscurity.

Instead, Jesus is found (stanzas four and five) in the company of those who could not afford to give any gifts, "the poorest of the land." To the rest of the world, this is an absurdity.

And so, despite our best-thought plans, we find Jesus -- God manifest in the flesh -- not attended by the rich, famous, and powerful, but among the poor and forgotten. It is there, in our acts of compassion, love, and outreach that we are able to touch and be touched by the hand of God.