Epiphany Liturgy

Christ revealed as the light of the world

Epiphany means "manifestation." From the Magi following the star, to the voice from heaven at the Jordan, to the dazzling light on the mountain of Transfiguration, this season tells how Jesus is revealed as God's Son and the light for all nations.

Below you will find complete liturgies for the Epiphany of the Lord, the Baptism of the Lord, every Sunday after the Epiphany, and Transfiguration Sunday, arranged in calendar order.

Use the complete liturgies below, or go straight to what you need:

The season after Epiphany runs from January 6 to the day before Ash Wednesday, so its length changes every year with the date of Easter.

Epiphany Liturgies

Each liturgy includes a call to worship, prayers of confession and illumination, an assurance of pardon, and a benediction.

Epiphany of the Lord

Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12. The same readings every year, on January 6 or the Sunday before.

Any yearLiturgy for Epiphany of the LordThe visit of the Magi.

Baptism of the Lord

The first Sunday after the Epiphany, when Jesus is baptized in the Jordan and the voice from heaven calls him beloved.

Year ABaptism of the LordMatthew 3:13-17 Year CBaptism of the LordLuke 3:15-17, 21-22

Sundays after the Epiphany

How many of these Sundays a year has depends on the date of Easter. Early Easters leave only a few; late Easters use all of them.

Sunday
Year AThis year
Year BThis year
Year CThis year
2nd Sunday
LiturgyJohn 1:29-42
UpcomingJohn 1:43-51
LiturgyJohn 2:1-11
3rd Sunday
LiturgyMatthew 4:12-23
UpcomingMark 1:14-20
LiturgyLuke 4:14-21
4th Sunday
LiturgyMatthew 5:1-12
UpcomingMark 1:21-28
LiturgyLuke 4:21-30
5th Sunday
LiturgyMatthew 5:13-20
UpcomingMark 1:29-39
LiturgyLuke 5:1-11
6th Sunday
UpcomingMatthew 5:21-37
UpcomingMark 1:40-45
LiturgyLuke 6:17-26
7th Sunday
UpcomingMatthew 5:38-48
UpcomingMark 2:1-12
LiturgyLuke 6:27-38
8th Sunday
UpcomingMatthew 6:24-34
UpcomingMark 2:13-22
UpcomingLuke 6:39-49

Transfiguration Sunday

The last Sunday before Lent, when Jesus is transfigured on the mountain before Peter, James, and John.

Year ATransfiguration SundayMatthew 17:1-9 Year CTransfiguration SundayLuke 9:28-36

Prayers, Sermons, and Study for Epiphany

Prayers for worship and home, sermons, and background for the season's stories.

Epiphany Prayers of IlluminationShort prayers before the Scripture readings. Epiphany SermonsSermons for the season after Epiphany. Transfiguration SermonsSermons for the mountaintop Sunday. Who Were the Magi?Background on the visitors from the East. The Baptism of Jesus in the Four GospelsA side-by-side comparison. Morning Prayer for EpiphanyA prayer on Matthew 2:10-11.

Common Questions About Epiphany

What is Epiphany?

Epiphany, from the Greek for "manifestation" or "appearing," celebrates Christ revealed to the world. The feast itself, on January 6, remembers the Magi who followed the star to worship the child Jesus, a sign that he came for all nations, not one people only.

When is Epiphany?

The Epiphany of the Lord is always January 6, the day after the twelve days of Christmas. Because it usually falls on a weekday, many congregations celebrate it on the Sunday before, often the Second Sunday after Christmas.

How many Sundays are there after Epiphany?

It varies from year to year. The season runs from the Baptism of the Lord to Transfiguration Sunday, just before Ash Wednesday. Since Ash Wednesday moves with Easter, an early Easter makes a short season and a late Easter makes a long one. The note at the top of this page shows this year's count.

Why is Transfiguration Sunday right before Lent?

The season that begins with a star ends with Christ shining on the mountain. Right after the Transfiguration, Jesus turns toward Jerusalem and the cross, so the church carries that glimpse of glory with it into the forty days of Lent.

What colors are used during Epiphany?

White marks the feasts: the Epiphany of the Lord, the Baptism of the Lord, and Transfiguration Sunday. Green, the color of growth, is used on the ordinary Sundays after the Epiphany in between.