The Baptism of Christ (First Sunday of Epiphany)
The Common Worship lectionary readings for The Baptism of Christ (First Sunday of Epiphany) in Year C, the liturgical colour, and what changes in the order of service.
Year CEpiphanywhite
The readings
- First reading
- Isaiah 43:1-7
- Psalm
- Psalm 29
- Second reading
- Acts 8:14-17
- Gospel
- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Citations follow the Revised Common Lectionary as used in the Church of England's Common Worship principal service lectionary. Verse numbering can differ very slightly between Bible translations.
The liturgical colour
White is festal — Christmas, Easter, and the feasts of the Lord. Many parishes use gold on the greatest of them. On this Sunday the colour is white.
What changes in the service
The full festal shape: Gloria, Creed, and the seasonal acclamations.
In SundayHQ this is the festal template shape. You set your order of service once; when the season turns, one click applies the seasonal change and leaves the rest of your parish's own wording alone.
Hymns that fit these readings
Suggestions matched to the readings above, each with the reason it was chosen:
- Opening — As with gladness men of old The magi's journey, and ours
- Gradual — Songs of thankfulness and praise The Baptism of Christ, named in the second verse
- Offertory — Brightest and best of the sons of the morning Gold, frankincense and myrrh brought to the table
- Communion — Let all mortal flesh keep silence Awe at the manifested Christ
- Final — Lord, the light of your love is shining Epiphany light, carried out of the building
When it next falls
| Date | Liturgical year |
|---|---|
| 9 January 2028 | Year C |
| 12 January 2031 | Year C |
| 8 January 2034 | Year C |
| 11 January 2037 | Year C |
Year C comes round every three years. The date moves because the whole calendar hangs off Easter.
The same Sunday in the other years
Questions
What are the readings for The Baptism of Christ (First Sunday of Epiphany) in Year C?
First reading Isaiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29; second reading Acts 8:14-17; Gospel Luke 3:15-17, 21-22.
What colour is worn on The Baptism of Christ (First Sunday of Epiphany)?
White. White is festal — Christmas, Easter, and the feasts of the Lord. Many parishes use gold on the greatest of them.
Which season is The Baptism of Christ (First Sunday of Epiphany) in?
Epiphany. From the visit of the Magi to the eve of Lent: the showing of Christ to the world.