The Introits, Collects, etc. Epiphany

Epiphany to the Eve of Septuagesima

The Epiphany,

or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles

Antiphons for the Psalms at Matins and Evensong

1. Before the morning star begotten, yea, before all ages, * the Lord our Savior as on this day is made manifest to the world.

2. Thy light is come, O Jerusalem, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee, * and the Gentiles shall walk in thy light, alleluia.

3. When they had opened their treasures, the wise men presented unto the Lord * gold and frankincense and myrrh, alleluia.

4. O ye seas and river-floods, shew forth the praises of the Lord; O ye fountains of living water, bless ye the Lord of all, alleluia.

5. Yon star, a fiery beacon, pointed out the way to God, the King of kings who in a

manger lay, * where Magi, when they see, do then unfold their princely gifts of frankincense and myrrh and gold.

1st Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

29 & 98

The Readings

Isa. 49:1–7 & Luke  3:15–22

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

The Sages, beholding the star, said to one another: This is the sign of a mighty King: * forth fare we, and let us seek him: and let us offer him gifts, gold, incense and myrrh.

Matins

The Psalms Appointed

46 & 100

The Readings

Isa. 60 & Matt. 3:v.13

The Antiphon for the Benedictus

Today to her heavenly Bridegroom is the Church espoused, forasmuch as in Jordan Christ hath washed away her iniquities: * Sages with their offerings hasten to the royal marriage, and with water turned to wine the guests are regaled, alleluia.

Holy Communion

The Introit Psalm 96. Cantate Domino.

O SING unto the LORD a new song; * sing unto the LORD, all the whole earth.
     2 Sing unto the LORD, and praise his Name; * be telling of his salvation from day to day.
    3 Declare his honour unto the heathen, * and his wonders unto all peoples¹.
    4 For the LORD is great, and cannot worthily be praised;* he is more to be feared than all gods.
    5 As for all the gods of the heathen, they are but idols; * but it is the LORD that made the heavens.
    6 Glory and worship are before him; * power and honour are in his sanctuary.
    7 Ascribe unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the peoples, * ascribe unto the LORD worship and power.
    8 Ascribe unto the LORD the honour due unto his Name; * bring presents, and come into his courts.
    9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; * let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
    10 Tell it out among the heathen, that the LORD is King, and that it is he who hath made the round world so fast that it cannot be moved; * and how that he shall judge the peoples¹ righteously.
    11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; * let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is.
    12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it; * then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the LORD.
    13 For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth; * and with righteousness to judge the world, and the peoples¹ with his truth.

The Collect.

OGOD, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through* Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ This Collect to be said daily throughout the Octave.

The Epistle. Eph. iii. 1.

FOR this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto tire sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that tire Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,; and to make all men see what is time fellowship of the mystery, which from tire beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

The Gradual   Ps 72.8-11 

8 LET his dominion also be from the sea to sea, * and from the River unto the world's end.
9 Let them that dwell in the wilderness kneel before him; * and let his enemies lick the dust.
10 Let the kings of Tarshish and of the isles give presents, * and the kings of Arabia and Saba bring gifts.

The Alleluia Ps 72:11

Alleluia! Alleluia! Let all kings fall down before him, * and all nations do him service.  Alleluia!

The Gospel. St. Matt. ii. 1.

WHEN Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when lie had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

¶ The same Epistle and Gospel shall serve unto the next Sunday.

2nd Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

72

The Readings

Isa. 49:1–13 & John 2:1–11

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

From the East there came Sages to Bethlehem, for to worship the Lord: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him precious gifts: * gold, as to a mighty monarch, incense, as to the true God, and myrrh to foreshew his burial, alleluia.