Lessons and Carols for Epiphany

Join us Sunday, January 21, 2024, at 4pm for Lessons and Carols for Epiphany. The service will be lead by our Duke Intern, Katie Bracy and sung by the Parish Choir, under the direction of Dr. Wright, director of music.

Epiphany celebrates the appearance of God’s glory in the world through the birth of Jesus, our Emmanuel (“God with us”), and the revelation of the incarnation to the Gentiles, and the whole world. It has been marked since the 3rd century with a Feast Day on the 6th of January and celebrated in both East and West in a rich variety of ways. In the Western Church, the emphasis has been on the nativity itself and the acknowledgment of Christ’s sovereignty over all through the visit of the Magi bringing their gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh. The revelation of his true nature is echoed by the words of the prophet Simeon, the Nunc Dimittis, at the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (February 2nd). The Greek word epiphany means literally ‘sudden appearance’ and refers above all to the manifestation of God. This is the moment we see that Jesus is so much more than a good human being, a wise teacher and a moral example. In fact he is the Word become flesh. It is in this sense that Simeon declares him to be ‘salvation’ and ‘a light to lighten the Gentiles.’ Later Jesus calls himself ‘the light of the World.’ Thus the symbolism of light pervades both this season and this Epiphany Service of Lessons and Carols. Christ calls us out of darkness and into light, so that we may recognize his affect on all creation. In this service, we pray that our eyes may be opened to see his glory; for all are made in the image and likeness of God.