Wesley Bros: Hymn for Epiphany

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Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, twelve days after Christmas, as the arrival of the Magi to visit the Christ child.   It celebrates the revelation, or appearance, of the knowledge of God in the flesh, especially to the Gentiles.  I am struck by the symbolism of the light of a unique star, leading the Magi to find Christ.  This season, I have been reflecting with gratitude on the people who have been such a star in my life, revealing God’s love through the light they shine in their lives.

2021 is upon us and it is beginning with over 350,000 dead from coronavirus and political turmoil in Georgia and Washington.  January 6 has taken on different meaning on Capitol Hill, as people prepare for potential violence in the streets.  Now is the time to shine the revealing light of Christ’s incarnation into the world, to resist and expose evil for what it is.

Charles Wesley wrote a beautiful Hymn for Epiphany, which I think fits nicely to the tune of Hark the Herald Angels Sing.  I hope you enjoy its poetry as you contemplate the people in your life who have revealed God’s love to you, and how you might reveal such love through your life in the year to come.

HYMN for the EPIPHANY

I.

1 SONS of Men, behold from far

2 Hail the long-expected Star!

3 Jacob’s Star that gilds the Night,

4 Guides bewilder’d Nature right.

II.

5 Fear not hence that Ill should flow,

6 Wars or Pestilence below,

7 Wars it bids and Tumults cease,

8 Ushering in the Prince of Peace.

III.

9 Mild He shines on all beneath,

10 Piercing thro’ the Shade of Death,

11 Scatt’ring Error’s wide-spread Night,

12 Kindling Darkness into Light.

IV.

13 Nations all, far off and near,

14 Haste to see your GOD appear!

15 Haste, for Him your Hearts prepare,

16 Meet him manifested there!

V.

17 There behold the Day-spring rise,

18 Pouring Eye-sight on your Eyes,

19 GOD in his own Light survey,

20 Shining to the Perfect Day.

VI.

21 Sing, ye Morning Stars again,

22 GOD descends on Earth to reign,

23 Deigns for Man his Life t’ employ;

24 Shout, ye Sons of GOD, for Joy!

Creator of the Wesley Bros cartoon, the Rev. Charlie Baber, a United Methodist deacon, serves at Highland United Methodist Church in Raleigh, N.C. His cartoon appears on United Methodist Insight by special arrangement.