Liturgical year · 11 May 2026 · Pierre-Arnaud Destremau
Epiphany manifests Christ to the nations. The repertoire extends the joy of Christmas by opening it to the universal: the star, the magi, the light.
Extending Christmas, widening the horizon
We remain in the joy of the Nativity, but the gaze widens: the light is for all peoples. The hymns can take up Christmas refrains while introducing the theme of the star and of the nations.
The moments
A festive entrance, in continuity with Christmas.
A Communion hymn on the light (“People who walk in darkness…”).
A sending forth open to the world.
A reminder: only publish scores or lyrics for works in the public domain, your own compositions, or duly authorised works.
The theme is the manifestation of Christ to the nations. Favour Ego sum lux mundi (Christ, light of the world), Peuples qui marchez, and hymns evoking the magi from the East (Nous étions trois mages as a recessional). The Marche des mages by Saint-Saëns on the organ is also very beautiful.
What is the difference between Epiphany and the feast of the Three Kings?
Epiphany encompasses three manifestations of Christ: the adoration of the magi (the best-known aspect), the Baptism of the Lord, and the wedding at Cana. In the Latin Catholic liturgy, the emphasis is on the magi, hence the popular slide into the “feast of the Kings.”
When exactly is Epiphany celebrated?
Officially on 6 January, but in France it is moved to the Sunday between 2 and 8 January to encourage participation. The Baptism of the Lord follows on the next Sunday and closes the Christmas season.
Hymns related to this article
The hymns from the albums Vivant and Ephata most relevant to this theme.
