Devotional for the Day of Epiphany

Adoration of the Magi 

Rochester Cathedral (England)

Today marks the end of our Advent/Christmas devotional. We have traveled far since that last Sunday of November, and now, having crossed into a new year, we are strengthened for the coming year as it unfolds.

Where is the holy Heav’n-born child,

Heir of the everlasting throne,

Who Heav’n and earth hath reconciled,

And God and man rejoined in one?

Shall we of earthly kings inquire,

To courts or palaces repair?

The nations’ hope, the world’s desire,

Alas! we cannot find Him there.

Shall learning show the sinner’s friend,

Or scribes a sight of Christ afford?

Us to His natal place they send,

But never go to see their Lord.

We search the outward Church in vain,

They cannot Him we seek declare,

They have not found the Son of Man,

Or known the sacred name they bear.

Then let us turn no more aside,

But use the light Himself imparts,

His Spirit is our surest guide,

His Spirit glimmering in our hearts.

Drawn by His grace we come from far,

And fix on Heav’n our wistful eyes,

That ray divine, that orient star

Directs us where the infant lies.

See there! the newborn Savior see,

By faith discern the great I AM;

’Tis He! the eternal God! ’tis He

That bears the mild Immanuel’s name.

The Prince of Peace on earth is found,

The child is born, the son is giv’n;

Tell it to all the nations round,

Jehovah is come down from Heav’n!

Jehovah is come down to raise

His dying creatures from their fall,

And all may now receive the grace

Which brings eternal life to all.

Lord, we receive the grace and Thee,

With joy unspeakable receive,

And rise Thine open face to see,

And one with God for ever live.

~ Charles Wesley