How to Pick Scripture Readings for Epiphany
Epiphany (from the Greek word for "revelation") is the season when Christians celebrate the ways in which Jesus revealed himself as God's Chosen One. Matthew Chapter 2 describes how the Magi from the east worshiped him and that is the most popular Scripture for the day. But other passages show other times when Jesus confirmed who he was. Pick Scripture readings for Epiphany that give a broad view. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Pick Scripture Readings For Epiphany
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Gather Bibles in two or three different translations from very formal (for instance, the King James or New King James) and less formal (New International Version) to informal (The Living Bible or Contemporary English Version).
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Define your audience and your purpose. That is, who will be reading or hearing the Scriptures and what you hope they will gain by it spiritually.
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Start with the familiar by reading Matthew 2:1 to 2:12, the story of the Epiphany of the Magi.
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Think about to whom Jesus is revealed and why.
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Take another point of view in the story by considering what Herod thought of Jesus, how Herod's advisers knew where Jesus would be born or how Mary might have felt.
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Look for symbols, such as the gifts the Magi brought (gold for his royalty, incense for his divinity and myrrh for his death).
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Look up Matthew 3:13 to 3:17, the Epiphany of Jesus' baptism and think about the same considerations--to whom Jesus is revealed, other points of view and symbolism, such as the dove.
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Do the same with the third traditional Epiphany Scripture, the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1 to 17:9).
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Compare the three Scriptures by pondering how they are alike, how they are different, and why each is called an Epiphany.
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Pick Scripture readings that you think best bring out how the person of Christ and his mission are revealed.
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Tips & Warnings
There are numerous translations of the Bible. Choose the one that you think will be most comprehensible to your audience.
If you are doing the readings, go fairly slowly. Emphasize, but do not distract from the meaning of the words. Practice beforehand!
Gaining familiarity with each scripture passage will help you to understand it better. Pass that understanding along either formally (in a teaching situation) or informally (by leading a discussion or asking simple questions).
Other scripture readings for Epiphany include Isaiah 60:1-6 (Messiah as the Light of the World), Psalm 72 (Christ the just king), and Acts 9:3-8, the Epiphany of St. Paul.
Epiphany scripture readings should be awe-inspiring, not boring. Do everything you can to make the readings come alive. Ask if you can use more than one reader, visual aids or music to help get the point across.
