The Three Kings
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day
January 5, 2020
On this twelfth day of Christmas, we celebrate by singing joyful carols of Christmas and Epiphany.
The words and music of "We three kings of Orient are" were written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. Described by hymnologist Erik Routley as "the first modern American Christmas carol," it is popular in both the United States and England.
We sing this carol in the manner that Hopkins intended it to be sung: the three kings sing the opening stanza and three solo verses, and the congregation joins in singing the refrain ("O, star of wonder..."). Hopkins also composed the musical interlude that provides a transition from the major key refrain to the minor key stanzas.
It is interesting to note that Matthew's gospel only identifies the Magi as "from the East" - the number is never identified. Western Christianity's tradition of three "kings" is derived from their three gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As The Hymnal 1982 Companion notes, the Syrian church often depicted as many as twelve kings! By the Middle Ages, the kings had been assigned names (Caspar or Gaspar, Melchior, Balthazar), and each was associated with a specific gift. Hopkins incorporated these traditions in a simple, memorable carol designed to teach the story.
Three men from our Cathedral Choir will play the roles of the kings on Sunday. Families with children are encouraged to sit near the center aisle for the best view. Caspar, the "gold" king, will distribute golden "coins" to children as he makes his way through the nave. The kings will end their procession at the creche, symbolizing their adoration of the infant Jesus. We hope that this will be a memorable moment for all, especially our youngest parishioners. We'll also have some special holiday treats at coffee hour as the Christmas season draws to a close. Come and celebrate!
Music for the Second Sunday after Christmas Day
January 5, 2020
Hymns
82 Of the Father's love begotten (Divinum mysterium)
96 Angels we have heard on high (Gloria)
128 We three kings of Orient are (Three Kings of Orient)
115 What child is this, who, laid to rest (Greensleeves)
119 As with gladness men of old (Dix)
127 Earth has many a noble city (Stuttgart)
Service Music
Psalm 147:13-21, S-415, Simplified Anglican Chant
Sanctus S-125, Richard Proulx
Fraction Anthem, S-154, David Hurd
Anthem
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming -Michael Praetorius
Music for Handbells
O Come, All Ye Faithful -arr. Patricia A. Sanders
Angels We Have Heard on High
Organ Voluntaries
Prelude on Divinum mysterium, Wilbur Held
Organ chorale: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern Johann Christoph Bach
January 5, 2020
 |
Trinity Cathedral Choir members
portraying the Three Kings
|
The words and music of "We three kings of Orient are" were written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. Described by hymnologist Erik Routley as "the first modern American Christmas carol," it is popular in both the United States and England.
We sing this carol in the manner that Hopkins intended it to be sung: the three kings sing the opening stanza and three solo verses, and the congregation joins in singing the refrain ("O, star of wonder..."). Hopkins also composed the musical interlude that provides a transition from the major key refrain to the minor key stanzas.
It is interesting to note that Matthew's gospel only identifies the Magi as "from the East" - the number is never identified. Western Christianity's tradition of three "kings" is derived from their three gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As The Hymnal 1982 Companion notes, the Syrian church often depicted as many as twelve kings! By the Middle Ages, the kings had been assigned names (Caspar or Gaspar, Melchior, Balthazar), and each was associated with a specific gift. Hopkins incorporated these traditions in a simple, memorable carol designed to teach the story.
Three men from our Cathedral Choir will play the roles of the kings on Sunday. Families with children are encouraged to sit near the center aisle for the best view. Caspar, the "gold" king, will distribute golden "coins" to children as he makes his way through the nave. The kings will end their procession at the creche, symbolizing their adoration of the infant Jesus. We hope that this will be a memorable moment for all, especially our youngest parishioners. We'll also have some special holiday treats at coffee hour as the Christmas season draws to a close. Come and celebrate!
 |
| The Three Magi, Byzantine mosaic c. 565 |
Music for the Second Sunday after Christmas Day
January 5, 2020
Hymns
82 Of the Father's love begotten (Divinum mysterium)
96 Angels we have heard on high (Gloria)
128 We three kings of Orient are (Three Kings of Orient)
115 What child is this, who, laid to rest (Greensleeves)
119 As with gladness men of old (Dix)
127 Earth has many a noble city (Stuttgart)
Service Music
Psalm 147:13-21, S-415, Simplified Anglican Chant
Sanctus S-125, Richard Proulx
Fraction Anthem, S-154, David Hurd
Anthem
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming -Michael Praetorius
Music for Handbells
O Come, All Ye Faithful -arr. Patricia A. Sanders
Angels We Have Heard on High
Organ Voluntaries
Prelude on Divinum mysterium, Wilbur Held
Organ chorale: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern Johann Christoph Bach
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