After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we have observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.”
Matthew 2:1-2
Here we are, another of my favorite seasons of the church year: Epiphany! True, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, but then for several Sundays following we are in the Epiphany season.
During these Sundays, the Gospel readings explain how Jesus became manifest – in other words, how he came to be known for who he is.
As a musician serving a liturgical church, I am attuned to words and music that resonate with the church seasons. One of the quintessential hymns of the Epiphany season is “Songs of thankfulness and praise,” which is #135 in our hymnal.
Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise,
Manifested by the star to the sages from afar;
Branch of royal David’s stem in thy birth at Bethlehem;
Anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest.
Manifest at Jordan’s stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
And at Cana, wedding guest, in thy Godhead manifest;
Manifest in power divine, changing water into wine;
Anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest.
Manifest in making whole palsied limbs and fainting soul;
Manifest in valiant fight, quelling all the devil’s might;
Manifest in gracious will, ever bringing good from ill;
Anthems be to thee addressed, God in man made manifest.
Manifest on mountain height, shining in resplendent light,
Where disciples filled with awe thy transfigured glory saw.
When from there thou leddest them steadfast to Jerusalem.
Cross and Easter day attest God in man made manifest.
The first three stanzas were written in the 19th century by Christopher Wordsworth – a wonderful name for one skilled at writing verse! As you read them, follow the progression from Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem, to the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles represented by Magi led by the star, to his baptism, and to his first miracles. Wordsworth said this: “It is a recapitulation of the successive Manifestations of Christ presented in the services throughout Epiphany.”
The final stanza, written more recently by F. Bland Tucker for inclusion in our present hymnal, brings us to Jesus’ Transfiguration, celebrated on the last Sunday following Epiphany, and points to what lies ahead – the cross and resurrection.
