Justin Appel

Dear Friends in Christ,

We have just recently marked the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, in which we celebrate the revelation or manifestation of God to the Gentiles through Jesus, the incarnate Son of God. It is thus during this feast that we remember the visit of the Magi, the ‘wise men’ who traveled from distant lands, following the star of the East at its rising.

This story is told beautifully a memorably by the 19th-century German composer Peter Cornelius in a song called ‘Die Könige’ (The Kings, or ‘The Three Kings’ as it is rendered in English). Cornelius ingeniously designed this tune to be sung over the top of the German chorale, Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (‘How brightly shines the morning star’) by Philipp Nicolai.

Here is the English translation of both song and accompanying chorale, and choral performances of both the German version, and an English adaptation by Ivor Atkins — a favorite with Anglican cathedral choirs. This is one of our favorite Epiphany ‘anthems’!

Yours in Christ,
Justin

Solo
Three Kings from Persian lands afar
to Jordan follow the pointing star:
and this the quest of the travelers three,
where the new-born King of the Jews may be.
Full royal gifts they bear for the King;
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.

The star shines out with a steadfast ray;
the kings to Bethlehem make their way,
and there in worship they bend the knee,
as Mary’s child in her lap they see;
their royal gifts they show to the King;
gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.

Thou child of man, lo, to Bethlehem
the Kings are traveling, travel with them!
The star of mercy, the star of grace,
shall lead thy heart to its resting place.
Gold, incense, myrrh thou canst not bring;
offer thy heart to the infant King.

Chorale
How brightly shines the morning star!
With grace and truth from heaven afar
our Jesse tree now bloweth.
Of Jacob’s stem and David’s line,
for thee, my Bridegroom, King divine,
my soul with love o’erfloweth.
Thy word, Jesu, inly feeds us,
rightly leads us, life bestowing.
Praise, O praise such love o’erflowing.