[Magdalen] Brightest and Best - The Epiphany, January 6, 2016.

[Joseph Cirou]

Scott has reminded us that the Cathedral of Cologne sings Tria Sunt Munera as an Entrance Hymn throughout the year. I should look up to see what they did this year for Epiphany.

Joe Cirou

-----Original Message-----
>From: Cantor03--- via Magdalen <magdalen at herberthouse.org>
>Sent: Jan 6, 2016 7:42 PM
>To: magdalen at herberthouse.org
>Cc: Cantor03 at aol.com
>Subject: [Magdalen] Brightest and Best - The Epiphany, January 6, 2016.
>
>
>The concept of the Epiphany was a complete unknown to me when I  entered
>TEC in the Diocese of Milwaukee in 1958 (though I'd been attending an
>Episcopal church sporadically for a couple years before that).   Therefore
>this hymn was a total unknown, and though it is a bit schmaltzy, it  still
>speaks to me of the Epiphany Feast.
> 
>It's time also for my annual rant about why churches of the Western  
>Liturgy,
>Anglican, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic do not chose the Three Kings  as
>a dedication of churches more than they do.
> 
>I think back on the wonderful Lutheran Vespers at the
>Three Kings Church in the Saxenhausen section of Frankfurt/M which I  had
>the privilege of attending for more than three years living in that  City.
> 
>I think also of the Shrine of the Three Kings down the River Rhein  just
>behind the high altar at the Kolnerdom.
> 
>(David Strang)
> 
> 
>Brightest and Best:
> 
> 
> 
>Full  Text
> 
> 
>1  Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,
>Dawn on our darkness, and  lend us thine aid;
>Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
>Guide where our  infant Redeemer is laid.
>2  Cold on His cradle the dew-drops are shining,
>Low lies His head with the  beasts of the stall;
>Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
>Maker and  Monarch and Saviour of all.
>3  Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
>Odours of Edom, and offerings  divine?
>Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
>Myrrh from the  forest, and gold from the mine?
>4  Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
>Vainly with gifts would His favour  secure;
>Richer by far is the heart's adoration,
>Dearer to God are the  prayers of the poor.
>5  Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
>Dawn on our darkness and lend  us thine aid;
>Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
>Guide where our  infant Redeemer is laid.
>Hymnal: according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the  
>United States of America, 1871
>
>