Since Epiphany falls on a Monday in 2003, consider having a special worship service on that day. The imagery of Jesus as the light of the world is especially evocative at an evening service, when a worship leader might begin with the lighting and processing of a candle.

If you will not have a worship service on Epiphany itself, consider having a Sunday evening service the night before (January 5).

A service of lessons and carols might follow this or a similar order:

First Lesson: Isaiah 60:1–6
Response: “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun” (The Presbyterian Hymnal, #423)

Second Lesson: Ephesians 3:1–12
Response: “When Heaven’s Bright with Mystery” (Voices United, #93)

Third Lesson: Matthew 2:1–12
Response: “We Three Kings of Orient Are” (the three internal verses may be sung by soloists processing down the aisle—in costume or not)
(The Presbyterian Hymnal, #66)

Fourth Lesson: John 1:1–14
Response: “In the Darkness Shines the Splendor” (Voices United, #92)

Fifth Lesson: John 8:12
Response: “The Lord is my Light” (Songs and Prayers from Taizé, #63)

Sixth Lesson: Matthew 5:14–16
Response: “Lord of Light, Your Name Outshining”
(The Presbyterian Hymnal, #425)

If Sunday morning is your only occasion for corporate worship, consider focusing worship on the themes of light and darkness present in the lectionary reading from the prologue to John’s Gospel (John 1:1–18). Use some of the hymns above that employ the images of darkness and light. Prayers appropriate for Epiphany can be found in the Book of Common Worship, pages 191–197.

Ideas for Celebrating Epiphany at Home
In his book All Through the Day, All Through the Year (Augsburg Fortress, 2000), Presbyterian pastor David Batchelder suggests several things you might do to celebrate Epiphany at home. Among his suggestions are:

• dressing up and having a Three Kings procession, perhaps bringing the three Magi figurines in your crèche to the baby Jesus;
• having a festive meal, concluding with a traditional Three Kings cake;
• marking the lintel above your door with the symbol 20+C+M+B+03 (current year). This stands for the traditional names of the three kings: Casper, Melchior, and Balthasar, together with the years since the birth of Christ. The marking serves as a blessing for your household for the year ahead.

Hymnal Information
The Presbyterian Hymnal (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1990).
Voices United (Toronto: United Church Publishing House, 2000).
Songs and Prayers from Taizé (Chicago: GIA Publications, 1991).