LiturgyTools.net: Hymns for the feast of Epiphany of the Lord (6 January - 7 Jan 2024 in some countries)

A selection of hymns and song suggestions based on themes from the Roman Catholic lectionary for the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord in Year A, B and C.

Most arre free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) meaning the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing. Many such hymns are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles / genres are included. A small selection of hymns which are still copyright may also be included, if they are particularly appropriate.

Suggestions about other hymns that could be included are welcome: leave a message in the Comments box below.

Seasonal Note

The Epiphany is the last day of the Christmas season. It is day when Christian communities remember the wise men from the East (who were Gentiles) visited the baby Jesus and offered their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The traditional date for the feast of the Epiphany is 6 January, ie 12th night. However in some countries it is celebrated on the following Sunday, and some churches observe it as a season (from 12th night until Ash Wednesday) rather than a one-day feast.

Most communities have a familiar repertoire of public domain Christmas music, so at this time choosing free-to-use hymns is simple. The list below doesn't include all well known Christmas carols, just the ones that are a particularly good fit with the lectionary themes for this feast.

Readings

First: Isaiah 60:1-6 - Shine out Jerusalem, your light has come ... the nations come to your light ... everyone will come bringing gold and incense.

Psalm 71 - All nations shall fall prostrate before you O Lord / O God give judgement to your king / In his days justice shall flourish / The kings of Tarshish and the sea coast / For he shall save the poor

Second: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 - ... pagans now share the same inheritance, are part of the same body in Christ Jesus.

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 - The wise men looked for the infant king, Herod summoned them. They found the place that the star was pointing to, and presented their gifts, but they did not report back to Herod.

Themes

Worshipping the incarnate Christ who is also king, following the Light of Christ.
Jesus' royalty (gold = wealth), priestly status (frankincense = liturgy) and up-coming death.

Free-use pictures

See lectionary art for this Sunday for suggested pictures and art-works based on today's readings.

Free-use hymns

Angels from the Realms of Glory

As with Gladness Men of Old

Bethlehem of Noblest Cities

Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning

Earth has Many a Noble City

Hail to the Lord's Anointed

Love Came Down at Christmas

O Star of Christ's Appearing

O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness

Psalm 71 - Music for Mass setting

Sing we Now of Christmas - verses 4 and 5

Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

The First Nowell

The Race that Long in Darkness Pined

The Three Kings (Three kings from Persian lands afar)

We Three Kings (We three kings of Orient are)

What Child is This

What Star is this with Beams so Bright