MARCHING ON JANUARY 6

This Sunday, January 6, is celebrated as EPIPHANY Sunday in many churches; commemorating the visit of the magi to the Christ child. January 6 is also celebrated as the Eastern Orthodox Christmas. The video below celebrates both this Holy Day and my first day as Interim Organist/Artist-in-Residence at Davis Street UMC in Burlington NC.

Journey of the Magi
James Tissot, 1836-1902, Public Domain

The story of the visit of these wise men, found in Matthew 2, always elicits an excitement, a pondering, a sense of timeless awe in me. Who were these people? How did they know to follow the star? Did others see the star and wonder what it meant? Who accompanied them on their journey? They must have come with something that signified their status, after all, King Herod gave them audience. What does their journey, their openness to direction from God, their gifts teach me about how I should relate to the baby born in Bethlehem?

The Epiphany hymn, “March of the Three Kings” has shown up with many variations in the text over the years, sung to the Renaissance tune PROVENCAL. Here is a version from my pen for Epiphany 2013:

This great day I met upon the way

Three kings resplendent

In their kingly, fine array

Trumpets blared, and camels snorted loud,

The pages, armour bearers walking proud.

Led by a star, mystic group of three

Sought Herod’s help

To seek out this King of glory;

The angel warned them of violent plans

So they continued with the Lord’s good hand.

This great day I met upon the way

Three kings resplendent

In their kingly, fine array

Searching for the newborn King of grace

The natal star would lead them to the place;

Where with great dignity, awe, and joy

Their gifts were giv’n to the tiny baby boy:

Gold for a king, fragrant frankincense,

And myrrh that speaks of his saving death.

Here is a video of this hymn in a majestic organ setting. This is the Postlude for the morning worship service in my new post.