Epiphany of Our Lord

Devotional for the Epiphany of Our Lord

Verse
Psalm 72:10–11 (ESV)
“May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him!”

Meditation
The Epiphany of Our Lord is the feast of revelation. The child born in Bethlehem is made known as King and Savior not for Israel alone, but for all nations. Psalm 72 proclaims a reign marked by righteousness, justice, and mercy—a kingdom that reaches to the ends of the earth. Kings come not by force, but drawn by the goodness of the King who defends the poor and delivers the needy.

Isaiah declares that the glory of the LORD rises while darkness still covers the peoples. God’s light does not wait for the world to become worthy; it breaks in while blindness remains. Nations are drawn to that light, and kings bring gifts not as tribute to power, but as offerings of worship.

Matthew shows this promise fulfilled as the Magi follow the star from the East. They kneel before a child and worship Him as King. In their journey, the mystery Paul later proclaims becomes visible: Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. Epiphany declares that Christ is revealed for all, and that His light now shines to the very ends of the earth.

Those who encounter this King do not return unchanged. The Magi depart by another way. So does the Church—sent into the world to bear witness that the Light has come and the nations are called to rejoice.

New Testament Verse
Ephesians 3:6 (ESV)
“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

Old Testament Verse
Isaiah 60:1–2 (ESV)
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you

Gospel Verse

Matthew 2:11 (ESV)

“And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

Collect for the Epiphany of Our Lord

Almighty God, who by the leading of a star made known Your only-begotten Son to the nations, grant that we who know Him by faith may be led by His light, worship Him in humility, and proclaim His saving reign to all peoples; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Verse

As with gladness men of old

Did the guiding star behold;

As with joy they hailed its light,

Leading onward, beaming bright,

So, most gracious Lord, may we

Evermore be led by Thee.

(“As with Gladness Men of Old” — William Chatterton Dix, 1860; public domain)