starSo we enter into the season of Epiphany.  At our dinner table tonight, the Wise Men will arrive at the nativity and we will read about the first “outsiders” to acknowledge Jesus as someone other than just a baby.  They bring their worship and gifts to Him (even if they got there through some sort of astrology!)  They reveal Jesus as “a Light of revelation to the Gentiles” and so during this season we begin where they did – bringing Him our worship and gifts.  Then we arise to work and grow in the light of His light and life.

Here is the evening prayer we will be doing around our table:

Epiphany Evening Prayer

The Epiphany January 6 (this opening prayer will change each week)

O God, by the leading of a star you made known your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Psalm 95 – A Call to Praise and Obedience

1 Come, let’s sing for joy to the Lord.
Let’s shout praises to the Rock who saves us.
2 Let’s come to him with thanksgiving.
Let’s sing songs to him,
3 because the Lord is the great God,
the great King over all gods.
4 The deepest places on earth are his,
and the highest mountains belong to him.
5 The sea is his because he made it,
and he created the land with his own hands.

6 Come, let’s worship him and bow down.
Let’s kneel before the Lord who made us,
7 because he is our God
and we are the people he takes care of,
the sheep that he tends.

Today listen to what he says:
8 “Do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were at Meribah,
as they were that day at Massah in the desert.
9 There your ancestors tested me
and tried me even though they saw what I did.
10 I was angry with those people for forty years.
I said, ‘They are not loyal to me
and have not understood my ways.’
11 I was angry and made a promise,
‘They will never enter my rest.’ ”

Stories – The Gospels (focusing on the life of Jesus)

Song (The Benedicite)

Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord:  • sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord you heavens: • sing his praise and exalt him forever.

Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord:  • bless the Lord all you his hosts; bless the Lord you waters above the heavens:  • sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord sun and moon:  • bless the Lord you stars of heaven; bless the Lord all rain and dew:  • sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord all winds that blow:  • bless the Lord you fire and heat; bless the Lord scorching wind and bitter cold:  • sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord dews and falling snows:  • bless the Lord you nights and days; bless the Lord light and darkness:  • sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord frost and cold:  • bless the Lord you ice and snow; bless the Lord lightnings and clouds:  • sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

O let the earth bless the Lord:  • bless the Lord you mountains and hills; bless the Lord all that grows in the ground:  • sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord you springs:  • bless the Lord you seas and rivers; bless the Lord you whales and all that swim in the waters:  • sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord all birds of the air:  • bless the Lord you beasts and cattle; bless the Lord all people on earth:  • sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

O people of God bless the Lord:  • bless the Lord you priests of the Lord; bless the Lord you servants of the Lord:  • sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Lord all you of upright spirit:  • bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart;  bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit:  • sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Blessing: (modified from Celtic Daily Prayer)

May God shield you

May God fill you

May God keep you

May God watch you

May God bring you this night

To the nearness of His love

The peace of the Father of joy

The peace of the Christ of hope

The peace of the Spirit of grace

The peace of all peace

Be yours this night

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.