Epiphany of the Lord — Saint Mark's Fitzroy

First Reading: Isaiah 60.1-6: The glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

Responsorial Psalm: 72. 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 (R. see11b + Ps 98.3c)

Response:

Second Reading: Ephesians 3.2-3a, 5-6: Now the mystery has been revealed.

Gospel Acclamation:

Gospel: Matthew 2.1-12: We have come from the East to pay homage to the king.

Motet: Here is the little door – Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

[Choir of New College, Oxford]

Here is the little door, lift up the latch, oh lift!
We need not wander more but enter with our gift;
Our gift of finest gold,
Gold that was never bought nor sold;
Myrrh to be strewn about his bed;
Incense in clouds about his head;
All for the Child who stirs not in his sleep.
But holy slumber holds with ass and sheep.

Bend low about his bed: for each he has a gift;
See how his eyes awake, lift up your hands, oh lift!
For gold, he gives a keen-edged sword
(Defend with it thy little Lord!),
For incense, smoke of battle red.
Myrrh for the honoured happy dead;
Gifts for his children, terrible and sweet,
Touched by such tiny hand and
Oh such tiny feet.

Words by Frances Chesterton (1869-1938)