So most Christians mark the Epiphany on January 6, but what does that make the Sunday (January 8) that follows it? Epiphany — Magi, star, manifestation of the Gentiles — or the commemoration of Jesus’ baptism. I’d call it both or else one theme’s going to get lost. And since the theme of divine disclosure is shared between the two, there’s little lost for the worshiper. That said, I’d go with Free Church book. Let’s get to the propers.
Free Church Book of Common Prayer (1929)
O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people which call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or this,
O God, whose only-begotten Son was manifested in the substance of our flesh; grant, we beseech thee, that as we confess him to have been outwardly like unto ourselves, so we may be inwardly created anew by him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
Epistle: Rom. xii, 1-5.
Gospel: Luke ii, 41-52 (end), or John i, 29-34.
A book of prayer for the church and the home (Universalist, 1866)
Second Sunday after Christmas
O Almighty and eternal God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ has shown the care thou takest of thy people; cultivate, we beseech thee, every branch of this thy vine, that it may be more fruitful: let not the thorns of sin prevail against us; but protect us by thy Spirit, that we may bring forth the fruits of thy holy living, to the glory of thy blessed name. Amen.
Gospel, St. John xv. 1.
