Free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) means the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing. Many such hymns are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles / genres are included.
Seasonal Note
The Epiphany is the last day of the Christmas season. It is day when Christian communities remember the wise men from the East (who were Gentiles) visited the baby Jesus and offered their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.The traditional date for the feast of the Epiphany is 6 January, ie 12th night. However in some countries it is celebrated on the following Sunday, and some churches observe it as a season (from 12th night until Ash Wednesday) rather than a one-day feast.
Most communities have a familiar repertoire of public domain Christmas music, so at this time choosing free-to-use hymns is simple. The list below doesn't include all well known Christmas carols, just the ones that are a particularly good fit with the lectionary themes for this feast.
Readings
First: Isaiah 60:1-6 - Shine out Jerusalem, your light has come ... the nations come to your light ... everyone will come bringing gold and incense.Psalm 71 - All nations shall fall prostrate before you O Lord / O God give judgement to your king / In his days justice shall flourish / The kings of Tarshish and the sea coast / For he shall save the poor
Second: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 - ... pagans now share the same inheritance, are part of the same body in Christ Jesus.
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 - The wise men looked for the infant king, Herod summoned them. They found the place that the star was pointing to, and presented their gifts, but they did not report back to Herod.
Themes
Worshipping the incarnate Christ who is also king, following the Light of ChristFree-use pictures
Free-use hymns
Angels from the Realms of GloryAs with Gladness Men of Old
Bethlehem of Noblest Cities
Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning
Earth has Many a Noble City
Hail to the Lord's Anointed
Love Came Down at Christmas
O Star of Christ's Appearing
O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness
Psalm 71 - Music for Mass setting
Sing we Now of Christmas - verses 4 and 5
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
The First Nowell
The Race that Long in Darkness Pined
The Three Kings (Three kings from Persian lands afar)
We Three Kings
What Child is This
What Star is this with Beams so Bright
Suggestions about other free-to-use hymns that could be included are welcome: leave a comment below.
