Advent /Christmastide Daily Office Lectionary and Morning Prayer readings year one
A New Year of Hope in Jesus Christ Welcome to Advent, the arrival of a new liturgical year. As living members of the global Church, we move forward towards our collective hope of glory, Jesus Christ. Advent is a translation of the Greek word parousia which means presence or, more, precisely, arrival, the beginning of a presence. This central idea of Advent as arrival doesn t leave us waiting in his absence, merely, soon to return. But, even now, in blessings and battles, we re given the promise of his presence, until the end of the age. We are those who love his appearing, now and forever. At present, as his earthly body, we participate in his divine nature. As members of the Son, we bear witness to his healing presence, Hosanna! And with all our missional muster, we long, wait, and groan with the Spirit, with the heartfelt cry, Surely I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen Rev. 22:20-21. During Advent-tide a special grace of the coming of the Lord is offered to us. While the Lord Jesus is already present to us, the grace of Advent offers us a more vivid, and renewed awareness of his presence, Christ in us, the hope of glory. As we reflect, in faith, on the ancient prophecies and affirm his eternal intentions, we experience him now as wanting to be with us, and intent on being married to us, as his glorious bride. Ask, seek, knock it shall be given, found, and opened. The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. The Advent candles display the strong contrast between darkness and light. In the Scriptures, Christ is identified as the Light of the World contrasted with the darkness of sin. Each week moves through redemptive history, from patriarchs and prophets to John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary, each step bringing us closer to the Father s greatest gift, the gift of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ. As his Advent draws nearer another candle is lit, dispelling the darkness a little more. Thus, we contemplate the great drama of salvation history that surrounds the birth of God Incarnate, God s lamb, to give his life as a ransom for many, to take away the sins of the world. So, in this new beginning, let us hear the apostolic exhortation, The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light Rom. 13:12. Our light has come and shall continue to come, until fully present forever and ever. Amen. Fr. Michael 2
The Church in Word and Prayer In keeping with the Anglican way of daily communal prayer, as we enter the new liturgical year, beginning Sunday, December 2 nd, let us join together with the Daily Office, our common daily reading of Scripture and prayer. The Daily Office readings, used for Morning and Evening Prayer, begin this new year with Year One on pages 936f. of the Book of Common Prayer. This booklet provides the Scripture references for Advent and the twelve days of Christmastide. If time permits, these readings integrate with Morning and Evening Prayer liturgies in the Book of Common Prayer, pages 75 102 for Morning Prayer and pages 109 126 for Evening Prayer. These two prayer forms were meant to be experienced in community, as a family or a congregation. There are other ways to prayerfully incorporate the Daily Office readings. Set aside a time to read the Scriptures together, as friends or family. The Holy Scriptures provide a journey into God s promise and fulfillment in Jesus Christ, his first and final advent. A rich feast awaits those who slow down and come together to prayer and hear aloud the Word of God. As singles or families, choose a devotional time, morning and/or evening. Depending on the age of your children, make the necessary adjustments (perhaps reading only the Gospel together with prayers), then, time permitting, complete the readings as husband and wife. Read aloud. End with a time of prayer. The following pages provide the Daily Office readings with each week s Collect. The Sunday Collect may be used to open up each day s time of reading and prayer. The Daily Office liturgy for Morning Prayer is included and begins on page 9 for collective or personal devotional use. Pray without Ceasing. I Thess. 5:17 3
The Daily Office In the citation of the Psalms, those for the morning are given first, and following, Psalms for the evening. Daily Collect: First Week of Advent Dec. 2-8 Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. First Week of Advent Sunday 146, 147 111, 112, 113 Isa. 1:1-9 2 Pet. 3:1-10 Matt. 25:1-13 Monday 1, 2, 3 4, 7 Isa. 1:10-20 1 Thess. 1:1-10 Luke 20:1-8 Tuesday 5, 6 10, 11 Isa. 1:21-31 1 Thess. 2:1-12 Luke 20:9-18 Wednesday 119:1-24 12, 13, 14 Isa. 2:1-11 1 Thess. 2:13-20 Luke 20:19-26 Thursday 18:1-20 18:21-50 Isa. 2:12-22 1 Thess. 3:1-13 Luke 20:27-40 Friday 16, 17 22 Isa. 3:8-15 1 Thess. 4:1-12 Luke 20:41-21:4 Saturday 20, 21:1-7(8-14) 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117 Isa. 4:2-6 1 Thess. 4:13-18 Luke 21:5-19 4
Daily Collect: Second Week of Advent Dec. 9-15 Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Second Week of Advent Sunday 148, 149, 150 114, 115 Isa. 5:1-7 2 Pet. 3:11-18 Luke 7:28-35 Monday 25 9, 15 Isa. 5:8-12, 18-23 1 Thess. 5:1-11 Luke 21:20-28 Tuesday 26, 28 36, 39 Isa. 5:13-17, 24-25 1 Thess. 5:12-28 Luke 21:29-38 Wednesday 38 119:25-48 Isa. 6:1-13 2 Thess. 1:1-12 John 7:53 8:11 Thursday 37:1-18 37:19-42 Isa. 7:1-9 2 Thess. 2:1-12 Luke 22:1-13 Friday 31 35 Isa. 7:10-25 2 Thess. 2:13 3:5 Luke 22:14-30 Saturday 30, 32 42, 43 Isa. 8:1-15 2 Thess. 3:6-18 Luke 22:31-38 Daily Collect: Third Week of Advent Dec. 16-22 Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Third Week of Advent Sunday 63:1-8(9-11), 98 103 Isa. 13:6-13 Heb. 12:18-29 John 3:22-30 Monday 41, 52 44 Isa. 8:16 9:1 2 Pet. 1:1-11 Luke 22:39-53 5
Tuesday 45 47, 48 Isa. 9:1-7 2 Pet. 1:12-21 Luke 22:54-69 Wednesday 119:49-72 49, [53] Isa. 9:8-17 2 Pet. 2:1-10a Mark 1:1-8 Thursday 50 [59, 60] or 33 Isa. 9:18 10:4 2 Pet. 2:10b-16 Matt. 3:1-12 Friday 40, 54 51 Isa. 10:5-19 2 Pet. 2:17-22 Matt. 11:2-15 Saturday 55 138, 139:1-17(18-23) Isa. 10:20-27 Jude 17-25 Luke 3:1-9 Daily Collect: Fourth Sunday of Advent Dec. 23-24 Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Fourth Week of Advent Sunday 24, 29 8, 84 Dec. 23 Isa. 42:1-12 Eph. 6:10-20 John 3:16-21 Christmas Eve 45, 46 89:1-29 Dec. 24 Isa. 59:15b-21 Phil. 2:5-11 Luke 1:67-80 The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day December 25 O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Or in the Evening O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. 6
The Twelve Days of Christmas Christmas Day - Dec. 25 O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Christmas Day 2, 85 110:1-5(6-7), 132 Dec. 25 Zech. 2:10-13 1 John 4:7-16 John 3:31-26 Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr - Dec. 26 th We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen Dec. 26 28, 30 118 2 Chron. 24:17-22 Acts 6:8-7:2, 51-60 Matt 23:34-39 Feast of St. John Dec. 27 Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Dec. 27 Psalm 97, 98 145 Exodus 33:18-23 I John 1:1-9 John 21:19b-24 Feast of Holy Innocents (the slaughter of children by Herod) Dec. 28 We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents, of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Dec. 28 Psalm 124 19, 126 Jer. 31:15-17 Matthew 2:13-18 Dec. 29 18:1-20 18:21-50 Isa. 12:1-6 Rev. 1:1-8 John 7:37-52 7
Daily Collect: First Sunday after Christmas Dec. 30-31 Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Dec. 30 93, 96 34 Isa. 62:6-7,10-12 Heb. 2:10-18 Matt. 1:18-25 Eve of Holy Name Dec. 31 46, 48 90 Isa. 26:1-9 Rev. 21:1-6 John 8:12-19 Holy Name Jan. 1 Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. Jan. 1 103 148 Gen. 17:1-12a, 15-16 Col. 2:6-12 John 16:23b-30 Daily Collect: Last week of Christmastide Jan. 2-5 Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen. Jan. 2 34 33 Gen. 12:1-7 Heb. 11:1-12 John 6:35-42, 48-51 Jan. 3 68 72 Gen. 28:10-22 Heb. 11:13-22 John 10:7-17 Jan. 4 85, 87 89:1-29 Exod. 3:1-12 Heb. 11:23-31 John 14:6-14 Eve of Epiphany Jan. 5 2, 110:1-7 29, 98 Joshua 1:1-9 Heb. 11:32 12:2 John 15:1-16 8
Daily Morning Prayer The Daily Office of Morning Prayer assumes congregational use, but can be followed individually. Thomas Cranmer, the author of the first Book of Common Prayer, 1549, modified the Benedictine Liturgy of the Hours, chanted in monasteries, for Parish (congregational) use in daily corporate prayer meetings. A Parish gathered together every day to pray mornings and evenings. The following liturgy is a modification from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, pages 75 102. Advent (Opening Scripture for advent) Watch, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning, lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. Mark 13:35, 36 Christmastide (Opening Scripture for Christmastide) Behold, the dwelling of God is with mankind. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them, and be their God. Revelation 21:3 Officiant Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen 9
Officiant (Any person may proclaim the following) Almighty God, have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Invitatory and Psalter Officiant People Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Officiant and People Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Antiphon Our King and Savior now draws near: Come, let us adore him. The Psalm or Psalms Appointed (Daily Office Lectionary) At the end of the Psalms is said Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Lessons (Daily Office Lectionary) The Old Testament Reading Reader A Reading from. Reader The Word of the Lord. Answer Thanks be to God. 10
First Canticle The Song of Zechariah Benedictus Dominus Deus Luke 1: 68-79 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The New Testament Reading (Daily Office Lectionary) Reader A Reading from. Reader The Word of the Lord. Answer Thanks be to God. 11
Second Canticle The Song of Mary Magnificat Luke 1:46-55 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Gospel (Daily Office Lectionary) Reader A Reading from. Reader The Word of the Lord. Answer Thanks be to God. 12
The Apostles' Creed Officiant and People together I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The Prayers Officiant People Officiant The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Officiant and People Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 13
Suffrage (a series of intercessory prayers or petitions) Verse (Officiant) and Refrain (people) V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance; R. Govern them and uphold them, now and always. V. Day by day we bless you; R. We praise your name for ever. V. Lord, keep us from all sin today; R. Have mercy upon us, Lord, have mercy. V. Lord, show us your love and mercy; R. For we put our trust in you. V. In you, Lord, is our hope; R. And we shall never hope in vain. Collect of the Day (also found in the Daily Office Lectionary) 1 Advent (December 2-8) Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 2 Advent (December 9-15) Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 3 Advent (December 16-22) Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen. 4 Advent (December 22-23) Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a 14
mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Christmas Eve (December 24) O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. Christmas Day (December 25) O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Feast of St. Stephen (December 26) We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen Feast of St. John (December 27) Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Feast of Holy Innocents (the slaughter of children by Herod) Dec. 28 We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents, of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Christmas (December 30-31) Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 15
Feast of the Holy Name (January 1) Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. 1 Christmas (January 2-5) Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen. Personal intercessions and thanksgivings The General Thanksgiving Officiant and People Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13 16