EPIPHANY

January 3, 2010 Epiphany

John Henry Hopkins Jr. Was 37 years old when he wrote the lyrics to “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” In this achievement, Hopkins gave the world an enduring carol that has now been sung for a century and a half. Hopkins was the son of an Episcopal bishop. He wrote the words and music to the hymn for an 1857 Christmas pageant while he was teaching music at the General Theological Seminary in New York City. He later became a priest. The familiar words sing of the Epiphany we celebrate today: “O Star of Wonder, Star of Night, Star with Royal Beauty Bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect Light.”

Deacon Dick Folger