As the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season leads into the Season after the Epiphany, Gibson continues to worship in Word and Table, in scripture and liturgy, in prayers and music appropriate to this season and following the rhythm of the liturgical calendar. The Epiphany of the Lord is January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas, and we will celebrate on Sunday, January 9. The festival of Epiphany also presents us with images of Jesus Christ as the Light of the World, as the star leading the wise men stopped over the place where Jesus was. Epiphany is an ancient Christian celebration, older than Christmas, and originally focused on the nativity, incarnation, and baptism of Christ. Epiphany means manifestation – and on this day, we commemorate the visit of the magi from the east following a star, which was the Christ revealed to the gentiles and the manifestation of the Son of God incarnate in human flesh, as well as the baptism of Jesus which was when God revealed him as his Son, and the wedding at Cana when, with his first miracle, Jesus revealed who he was. Epiphany brings together three of the primary mysteries of the Christian faith.
In some cultures, such as the Hispanic culture, Epiphany is also known as the “Three Kings Sunday” and is steeped in traditions. Many cultures celebrate Epiphany with the giving of gifts. Children place boxes filled with hay under their beds for the camels in hopes that the kings will leave presents – which they do!
This season also includes the Holy Innocents, when Herod had all Jewish baby boys two years old and younger killed because he was afraid of the King who had been born which he had heard about from the Eastern magi. The story tells of the wise men returning home by another route that God showed them so they could avoid Herod. They Holy Family fled into Egypt to escape Herod because of God’s message to Joseph and to fulfill the prophesies.
The Sundays after the Epiphany (know as ordinary time because they are counted in ordinals), are a time of when the scriptures and music shine with the radiance of the meaning of Christmas-Epiphany. This season continues through January until the Transfiguration before the beginning of Lent.
We will bring the choir back to worship services and increase the hymns as soon as it is safe to do do. With the pandemic continuing, singing and playing of wind instruments, are considered high risk activities for transmission of the coronavirus. The worship leaders appreciate that everyone is being respectful of the safety of all people.