A Litany for Epiphany

Happy Epiphany everyone! I just returned to my study quarters from a chapel with a beautiful litany for Epiphany. Before sharing, there are a couple of things to point out about Epiphany. In many traditions, the storyline most associated with Epiphany is the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus as recounted in Matthew 2.1-12. In other traditions, Epiphany is associated with the revelation of Christ as the Son of God at his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptizer. The speaker this morning admitted that Epiphany unfortunately is found pretty low on the totem pole, if present at all, in the evangelical church. The first time he came across the word 'epiphany' was not in church but in a literature class where a story is told of a man who comes to a realization of his own identity and significance. The speaker then pointed out that this is not near what the Church understands by Epiphany. It is not about us, but about Christ's revelation as the Son of God! If anything pertaining to himself, John the Baptizer at Epiphany gets a realization of his own insignificance in comparison with Christ: "I should be baptized by you..." and "[Christ] must increase, I must decrease."

With that, here is the litany from this morning. Note, in particular, how the prayer moves from soteriology (theology of salvation) to missiology to dwelling at length in praying for the cause of justice and mercy and then to eternal joy in praising God:

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God, Alleluia!

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, Alleluia!

With joy let us pray to our Saviour,

the Son of God who became one of us, saying:

The grace of God be with us all.

O Christ,

let your gospel shine in every place

where the Word of life is not yet received.

Draw the whole creation to yourself

that your salvation may be known through all the earth.

The grace of God be with us all.

O Christ, Saviour and Lord,

extend your church to every place.

Make it a place of welcome for people of every race and tongue.

The grace of God be with us all.

O Christ, Ruler of rulers,

direct the work and thoughts of the leaders of nations

that they may seek justice,

and further peace and freedom for all.

The grace of God be with us all.

O Christ, Master of all,

support of the weak and comfort of the afflicted,

strengthen the tempted and raise the fallen.

Watch over the lonely and those in danger.

Give hope to the despairing

and sustain the faith of the persecuted.

The grace of God be with us all. Amen.

O Christ, light that made manifest as the true light of God,

gladden our hearts on the joyful morning of your glory;

call us by our name on the great Day of your coming;

and give us grace to offer,

with all the hosts of heaven,

unending praise to God

in whom all things find their ending,

now and forever. Amen.