Prepare the Way Worship Series: FIND
January 6, 2018 — Epiphany Sunday

The following selections are congregational songs (most of which are chosen from this week’s Hymn Suggestions) with notes on key, tempo, and instrumentation, along with some practical and creative considerations in singing.

Arise, Shine

Source: The Faith We Sing, 2005
Recommended Key: G
Tempo: 60 bpm
Instrumentation: Organ or piano, also hand drum or tambourine if available
Notes: This short chorus by Gary Alan Smith, former music editor at Abingdon Press, offers a great statement of Isaiah 60 in what would make a wonderful procession. Have the song leader sing the leader part from the front, with the choir and congregation singing the “all” part as they process in on this Epiphany Sunday. The percussion would add some character to the 6/8 meter as well.

De Tierra Lejana Venimos (From a Distant Home)

Source: The United Methodist Hymnal, 243
Recommended Key: D minor
Tempo: 54–56 bpm
Instrumentation: Piano or guitar
Notes: One of the most dramatic texts about the Epiphany, this song works well in either Spanish or English. The Spanish is quite engaging, but it can prove difficult for congregations for whom Spanish is not their first language. Keep the rocking left hand steady in the accompaniment as a way to mimic the journey of the magi.

Bethlehem

Source: Zion Still Sings, 58; Worship & Song, 3053
Recommended Key: D minor
Tempo: 94–100 bpm
Instrumentation: Piano
Notes: Marilyn Thornton has created this modern song as a way to tell the story of the birth of Jesus that includes the holy family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. The repetitive phrases, “Mary had-a Jesus on Christmas morn” also create a way to establish a leader/response dynamic between a choir or song leader and the congregation. Swing it!
Resources: History of Hymns

Light, Light

Source: UMCDiscipleship.org
Recommended Key: D
Tempo: 116–120 bpm
Instrumentation: Full band, piano, or guitar
Notes: This modern song written by Jackson Henry centers on the images of the Epiphany (light, star, love) and Jesus coming as the light of the world. The vocals need to lead the singing of this song, and there are numerous syncopations. However, the rhythm is fairly consistent through most of the song, which should offer enough repetition to help with accessibility.
Resources: Musical score

The First Noel

Source: The United Methodist Hymnal, 245; Mil Voces Para Celebrar, 89
Recommended Key: D
Tempo: 88–94 bpm
Instrumentation: Organ, piano, or guitar
Notes: This traditional English carol is often thought of as a carol for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but it centers more upon the story of the Epiphany than the birth of Jesus. The refrain is news of Jesus’ birth, and this news is shown in this hymn by the angel and the star. Unlike “We Three Kings,” if you need to sing less than five stanzas (depending on its liturgical use), it is possible to sing stanzas 1, 2, and 5 and still tell the story effectively. If it is possible, have your choir sing all four parts in the refrain throughout, and have the sopranos sing the tenor part of the refrain up one octave for a powerful descant on the final stanza.
Resources: History of Hymns

We Three Kings of Orient Are

Source: The United Methodist Hymnal, 254; Mil Voces Para Celebrar, 108
Recommended Key: E minor
Tempo: 48 bpm
Instrumentation: Organ, piano, guitar, and possible percussion
Notes: A favorite to sing for the observance of the Epiphany, this hymn tells the story of the magi and their visit to Jesus. In recent years, however, this hymn has fallen under a bit of scrutiny because of its declaration that there were three magi even though the gospel writer of Matthew doesn’t assign a number. It is clear that the hymn writer assigned one per gift — gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This inaccuracy may need to be fleshed out more outside of worship because it doesn’t necessarily make this hymn unsingable. The story itself (and its singing) is one children and adults both can and need to sing together. Keep in mind this is not a five-stanza hymn that can be trimmed down because stanzas 2-4 each address one of the gifts given to Jesus by the magi. The lilting time signature (3/8) gives this hymn a rocking feel that I have often pictured as of a “song for a journey.” One of the best instruments to accompany this tune, other than an organ and/or piano, is a tambourine. It gives it an Eastern flair that can create a memorable effect on this day.
Resources: History of Hymns