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Daily Readings and Prayers:
Morning Prayers and Readings:
Morning Prayer from
The Book of Common Prayer
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
¶ Introduction
The minister may use a seasonal sentence before using one or more of the penitential sentences.
The minister introduces the service
Dearly beloved [brethren],
the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge
and confess our manifold sins and wickedness;
[and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before
the face of almighty God our heavenly Father;
but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and
obedient heart;
to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same
by his infinite goodness and mercy.
And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge
our sins before God;
yet ought we most chiefly so to do,
when we assemble and meet together
to render thanks for the great benefits that we have
received at his hands,
to set forth his most worthy praise,
to hear his most holy word,
and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary,
as well for the body as the soul.]
Wherefore I pray and beseech you,
as many as are here present,
to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice,
unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying [after me]:
(or)
Beloved, we are come together in the presence of almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God's presence with us now.
All Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires
of our own hearts.
We have offended against thy holy laws.
We have left undone those things
which we ought to have done;
and we have done those things
which we ought not to have done;
and there is no health in us.
But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
Restore thou them that are penitent;
according to thy promises declared unto mankind
in Christ Jesu our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of thy holy name.
Amen.
A priest says
Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who desireth not the death of a sinner,
but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live;
and hath given power, and commandment, to his ministers
to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent,
the absolution and remission of their sins:
he pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent
and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.
Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance,
and his Holy Spirit,
that those things may please him which we do at this present;
and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy;
so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
or other ministers may say
Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord,
to thy faithful people pardon and peace,
that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
and serve thee with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
All Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
¶ Morning Prayer
The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
These responses are used
O Lord, open thou our lips
All and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
All O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost;
All as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
Praise ye the Lord.
All The Lord's name be praised.
Venite, exultemus Domino
1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord :
let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving :
and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.
3 For the Lord is a great God :
and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are all the corners of the earth :
and the strength of the hills is his also.
5 The sea is his, and he made it :
and his hands prepared the dry land.
6 O come, let us worship, and fall down :
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For he is the Lord our God :
and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
[8 Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts :
as in the provocation,
and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness;
9 When your fathers tempted me :
proved me, and saw my works.
10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said :
It is a people that do err in their hearts,
for they have not known my ways.
11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath :
that they should not enter into my rest.]
Psalm 95
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalmody
Psalm 107
1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious :
and his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let them give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed :
and delivered from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west :
from the north, and from the south.
4 They went astray in the wilderness out of the way :
and found no city to dwell in;
5 Hungry and thirsty :
their soul fainted in them.
6 So they cried unto the Lord in their trouble :
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them forth by the right way :
that they might go to the city where they dwelt.
8 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness :
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the empty soul :
and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
10 Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death :
being fast bound in misery and iron;
11 Because they rebelled against the words of the Lord :
and lightly regarded the counsel of the most Highest;
12 He also brought down their heart through heaviness :
they fell down, and there was none to help them.
13 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble :
he delivered them out of their distress.
14 For he brought them out of darkness, and out of the shadow of death :
and brake their bonds in sunder.
15 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness :
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men !
16 For he hath broken the gates of brass :
and smitten the bars of iron in sunder.
17 Foolish men are plagued for their offence :
and because of their wickedness.
18 Their soul abhorred all manner of meat :
and they were even hard at death’s door.
19 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble :
he delivered them out of their distress.
20 He sent his word, and healed them :
and they were saved from their destruction.
21 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness :
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
22 That they would offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving :
and tell out his works with gladness!
23 They that go down to the sea in ships :
and occupy their business in great waters;
24 These men see the works of the Lord :
and his wonders in the deep.
25 For at his word the stormy wind ariseth :
which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep :
their soul melteth away because of the trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man :
and are at their wit’s end.
28 So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble :
he delivereth them out of their distress.
29 For he maketh the storm to cease :
so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad, because they are at rest :
and so he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be.
31 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness :
and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!
32 That they would exalt him also in the congregation of the people :
and praise him in the seat of the elders!
33 Who turneth the floods into a wilderness :
and drieth up the water-springs.
34 A fruitful land maketh he barren :
for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35 Again, he maketh the wilderness a standing water :
and water-springs of a dry ground.
36 And there he setteth the hungry :
that they may build them a city to dwell in;
37 That they may sow their land, and plant vineyards :
to yield them fruits of increase.
38 He blesseth them, so that they multiply exceedingly :
and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39 And again, when they are minished, and brought low :
through oppression, through any plague, or trouble;
40 Though he suffer them to be evil intreated through tyrants :
and let them wander out of the way in the wilderness;
41 Yet helpeth he the poor out of misery :
and maketh him households like a flock of sheep.
42 The righteous will consider this, and rejoice :
and the mouth of all wickedness shall be stopped.
43 Whoso is wise will ponder these things :
and they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.
At the end of each psalm these words are said or sung
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Old Testament Reading
First Reading: Isaiah 55
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Te Deum Laudamus
Either the Te Deum Laudamus (as follows) or Benedicite, omnia opera is said or sung.
We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
To thee all angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers therein.
To thee cherubin and seraphin continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee.
The noble army of martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee:
the Father of an infinite majesty;
thine honourable, true and only Son;
also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.
Thou art the King of glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,
thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,
thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage.
Govern them and lift them up for ever.
Day by day we magnify thee;
and we worship thy name, ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.
New Testament Reading
Second Reading: 2 Peter 2.4-end
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Benedictus
Either The Benedictus (as follows) or Jubilate Deo (Psalm 100) is said or sung.
1 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel :
for he hath visited, and redeemed his people;
2 And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us :
in the house of his servant David;
3 As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets :
which have been since the world began;
4 That we should be saved from our enemies :
and from the hands of all that hate us;
5 To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers :
and to remember his holy covenant;
6 To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham :
that he would give us,
7 That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies :
might serve him without fear,
8 In holiness and righteousness before him :
all the days of our life.
9 And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest :
for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
10 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people :
for the remission of their sins;
11 Through the tender mercy of our God :
whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us;
12 To give light to them that sit in darkness,
and in the shadow of death :
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 1.68-79
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
The Apostles' Creed
All I believe in God the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth:
and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Prayers
The Lord be with you.
All And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
All Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
All Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
All And grant us thy salvation.
O Lord, save the Queen.
All And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
All And make thy chosen people joyful.
O Lord, save thy people.
All And bless thine inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord.
All Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
but only thou, O God.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
All And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
Three Collects are said.
The Collect of the Day
O Lord, raise up (we pray thee) thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through the satisfaction of thy Son our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory, world without end.
All Amen.
The Collect for Peace
O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord,
in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life,
whose service is perfect freedom;
defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies;
that we, surely trusting in thy defence,
may not fear the power of any adversaries;
through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
The Collect for Grace
O Lord, our heavenly Father,
almighty and everlasting God,
who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day;
defend us in the same with thy mighty power;
and grant that this day we fall into no sin,
neither run into any kind of danger,
but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance,
to do always that is righteous in thy sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
The order for the end of the service may include:
¶ hymns or anthems
¶ a sermon
¶ further prayers (which may include prayers from here)
This prayer may be used to conclude the service
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
be with us all evermore.
All Amen.
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications
**************************************************************
Evening Prayers and Readings:
Evening Prayer from
The Book of Common Prayer
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
¶ Introduction
The minister may use a seasonal sentence before using one or more of the penitential sentences.
The minister introduces the service
Dearly beloved [brethren],
the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge
and confess our manifold sins and wickedness;
[and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before
the face of almighty God our heavenly Father;
but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and
obedient heart;
to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same
by his infinite goodness and mercy.
And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge
our sins before God;
yet ought we most chiefly so to do,
when we assemble and meet together
to render thanks for the great benefits that we have
received at his hands,
to set forth his most worthy praise,
to hear his most holy word,
and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary,
as well for the body as the soul.]
Wherefore I pray and beseech you,
as many as are here present,
to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice,
unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying [after me]:
(or)
Beloved, we are come together in the presence of almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God's presence with us now.
All Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires
of our own hearts.
We have offended against thy holy laws.
We have left undone those things
which we ought to have done;
and we have done those things
which we ought not to have done;
and there is no health in us.
But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
Restore thou them that are penitent;
according to thy promises declared unto mankind
in Christ Jesu our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of thy holy name.
Amen.
A priest says
Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who desireth not the death of a sinner,
but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live;
and hath given power, and commandment, to his ministers
to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent,
the absolution and remission of their sins:
he pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent
and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.
Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance,
and his Holy Spirit,
that those things may please him which we do at this present;
and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy;
so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
or other ministers may say
Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord,
to thy faithful people pardon and peace,
that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
and serve thee with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
All Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
¶ Evening Prayer
The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
These responses are used
O Lord, open thou our lips
All and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
All O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost;
All as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
Praise ye the Lord.
All The Lord's name be praised.
Psalmody
Psalm 108
1 O God, my heart is ready, my heart is ready :
I will sing and give praise with the best member that I have.
2 Awake, thou lute, and harp :
I myself will awake right early.
3 I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the people :
I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
4 For thy mercy is greater than the heavens :
and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
5 Set up thyself, O God, above the heavens :
and thy glory above all the earth.
6 That thy beloved may be delivered :
let thy right hand save them, and hear thou me.
7 God hath spoken in His holiness :
I will rejoice therefore, and divide Sichem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is mine, and Manasses is mine :
Ephraim also is the strength of my head.
9 Judah is my law-giver, Moab is my wash-pot :
over Edom will I cast out my shoe; upon Philistia will I triumph.
10 Who will lead me into the strong city :
and who will bring me into Edom?
11 Hast not thou forsaken us, O God :
and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
12 O help us against the enemy :
for vain is the help of man.
13 Through God we shall do great acts :
and it is he that shall tread down our enemies.
Psalm 109
1 Hold not thy tongue, O God of my praise :
for the mouth of the ungodly, yea, the mouth of the deceitful is opened upon me.
2 And they have spoken against me with false tongues :
they compassed me about also with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.
3 For the love that I had unto them, lo, they take now my contrary part :
but I give myself unto prayer.
4 Thus have they rewarded me evil for good :
and hatred for my good will.
5 Set thou an ungodly man to be ruler over him :
and let Satan stand at his right hand.
6 When sentence is given upon him, let him be condemned :
and let his prayer be turned into sin.
7 Let his days be few :
and let another take his office.
8 Let his children be fatherless :
and his wife a widow.
9 Let his children be vagabonds, and beg their bread :
let them seek it also out of desolate places.
10 Let the extortioner consume all that he hath :
and let the stranger spoil his labour.
11 Let there be no man to pity him :
nor to have compassion upon his fatherless children.
12 Let his posterity be destroyed :
and in the next generation let his name be clean put out.
13 Let the wickedness of his fathers be had in remembrance in the sight of the Lord :
and let not the sin of his mother be done away.
14 Let them alway be before the Lord :
that he may root out the memorial of them from off the earth;
15 And that, because his mind was not to do good :
but persecuted the poor helpless man, that he might slay him that was vexed at the heart.
16 His delight was in cursing, and it shall happen unto him :
he loved not blessing, therefore shall it be far from him.
17 He clothed himself with cursing, like as with a raiment :
and it shall come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.
18 Let it be unto him as the cloke that he hath upon him :
and as the girdle that he is alway girded withal.
19 Let it thus happen from the Lord unto mine enemies :
and to those that speak evil against my soul.
20 But deal thou with me, O Lord God, according unto thy Name :
for sweet is thy mercy.
21 O deliver me, for I am helpless and poor :
and my heart is wounded within me.
22 I go hence like the shadow that departeth :
and am driven away as the grasshopper.
23 My knees are weak through fasting :
my flesh is dried up for want of fatness.
24 I became also a reproach unto them :
they that looked upon me shaked their heads.
25 Help me, O Lord my God :
O save me according to thy mercy;
26 And they shall know, how that this is thy hand :
and that thou, Lord, hast done it.
27 Though they curse, yet bless thou :
and let them be confounded that rise up against me; but let thy servant rejoice.
28 Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame :
and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a cloke.
29 As for me, I will give great thanks unto the Lord with my mouth :
and praise him among the multitude;
30 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor :
to save his soul from unrighteous judges.
At the end of each psalm these words are said or sung
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Old Testament Reading
First Reading: Malachi 2.17-3.12
Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.
For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
Magnificat
Either the Magnificat (as follows) or Cantate Domino (Psalm 98) is said or sung.
1 My soul doth magnify the Lord :
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
2 For he hath regarded :
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
3 For behold, from henceforth :
all generations shall call me blessed.
4 For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
and holy is his Name.
5 And his mercy is on them that fear him :
throughout all generations.
6 He hath shewed strength with his arm :
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
7 He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
8 He hath filled the hungry with good things :
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
9 He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Luke 1.46-55
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
New Testament Reading
Second Reading: Matthew 19.16-end
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Nunc dimittis
Either the Nunc dimittis (as follows) or Deus misereatur (Psalm 67) is said or sung.
1 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace :
according to thy word.
2 For mine eyes have seen :
thy salvation;
3 Which thou hast prepared :
before the face of all people;
4 To be a light to lighten the Gentiles :
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Luke 2.29-32
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
The Apostles' Creed
All I believe in God the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth:
and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Prayers
The Lord be with you.
All And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
All Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
All Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
All And grant us thy salvation.
O Lord, save the Queen.
All And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
All And make thy chosen people joyful.
O Lord, save thy people.
All And bless thine inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord.
All Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
but only thou, O God.
O God, make clean our hearts within us.
All And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
Three Collects are said.
The Collect of the Day
O Lord, raise up (we pray thee) thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through the satisfaction of thy Son our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory, world without end.
All Amen.
The Collect for Peace
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,
and all just works do proceed;
give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give;
that both, our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments,
and also that, by thee,
we being defended from the fear of our enemies
may pass our time in rest and quietness;
through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
All Amen.
The Collect for Aid against all Perils
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord;
and by thy great mercy defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
All Amen.
The order for the end of the service may include:
¶ hymns or anthems
¶ a sermon
¶ further prayers (which may include prayers from here)
This prayer may be used to conclude the service
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
be with us all evermore.
All Amen.
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications
**************************************************************
Night Prayers and Readings:
An Order for Night Prayer
(Compline) in Traditional Language
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Note
The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning 'completion' (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. It is most effective when the ending is indeed an ending, without additions, conversation or noise. If there is an address, or business to be done, it should come first. If the service is in church, those present depart in silence; if at home, they go quietly to bed.
For further Notes, see here.
Preparation
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
All Amen.
[Brethren,] be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
whom resist, steadfast in the faith.
1 Peter 5.8,9
But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
All Thanks be to God.
Our help is in the name of the Lord
All who hath made heaven and earth.
A period of silence for reflection on the past day may follow.
The following or other suitable words of penitence may be used
All We confess to God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
through our own grievous fault.
Wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us.
Almighty God, have mercy upon us,
forgive us all our sins and deliver us from all evil,
confirm and strengthen us in all goodness,
and bring us to life everlasting;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A priest may say
May the almighty and merciful Lord
grant unto you pardon and remission of all your sins,
time for amendment of life,
and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.
O God, make speed to save us.
All O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost;
All as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
Praise ye the Lord.
All The Lord's name be praised.
The following or another suitable hymn may be sung
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world we pray,
That with thy wonted favour thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.
From all ill dreams defend our eyes,
From nightly fears and fantasies;
Tread underfoot our ghostly foe,
That no pollution we may know.
O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
The Word of God
Psalmody
One or more of the following psalms may be used
Psalm 4
1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness :
thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble;
have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer.
2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour :
and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after leasing?
3 Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself
the man that is godly :
when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.
4 Stand in awe, and sin not :
commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still.
5 Offer the sacrifice of righteousness :
and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There be many that say :
Who will shew us any good?
7 Lord, lift thou up :
the light of thy countenance upon us.
8 Thou hast put gladness in my heart :
since the time that their corn, and wine, and oil increased.
9 I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest :
for it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 31.1-6
1 In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust :
let me never be put to confusion, deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me :
make haste to deliver me.
3 And be thou my strong rock, and house of defence :
that thou mayest save me.
4 For thou art my strong rock, and my castle :
be thou also my guide, and lead me for thy name's sake.
5 Draw me out of the net, that they have laid privily for me :
for thou art my strength.
6 Into thy hands I commend my spirit :
for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.
Psalm 91
1 Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High :
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say unto the Lord, Thou art my hope, and my stronghold :
my God, in him will I trust.
3 For he shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunter :
and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall defend thee under his wings,
and thou shalt be safe under his feathers :
his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night :
nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 For the pestilence that walketh in darkness :
nor for the sickness that destroyeth in the noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand :
but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Yea, with thine eyes shalt thou behold :
and see the reward of the ungodly.
9 For thou, Lord, art my hope :
thou hast set thine house of defence very high.
10 There shall no evil happen unto thee :
neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee :
to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee in their hands :
that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt go upon the lion and adder :
the young lion and the dragon shalt thou tread under thy feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him :
I will set him up, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will hear him :
yea, I am with him in trouble;
I will deliver him, and bring him to honour.
16 With long life will I satisfy him :
and shew him my salvation.
Psalm 134
1 Behold now, praise the Lord :
all ye servants of the Lord;
2 Ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord :
even in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary :
and praise the Lord.
4 The Lord that made heaven and earth :
give thee blessing out of Sion.
At the end of the psalmody, the following is said or sung
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Scripture Reading
One of the following short lessons or another suitable passage is read
Thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not, O Lord our God.
Jeremiah 14.9
(or)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11.28-30
(or)
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13.20,21
All Thanks be to God.
The following responsory may be said
Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
All Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.
All I commend my spirit.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
All Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Keep me as the apple of an eye.
All Hide me under the shadow of thy wings.
Gospel Canticle
The Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon) is said or sung
All Preserve us, O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep we may rest in peace.
1 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace :
according to thy word.
2 For mine eyes have seen :
thy salvation;
3 Which thou hast prepared :
before the face of all people;
4 To be a light to lighten the Gentiles :
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Luke 2.29-32
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
All Preserve us, O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep we may rest in peace.
Prayers
Lord, have mercy upon us.
All Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
All Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Blessed art thou, Lord God of our fathers:
All to be praised and glorified above all for ever.
Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost:
All let us praise him and magnify him for ever.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven:
All to be praised and glorified above all for ever.
The almighty and most merciful Lord guard us and give us his blessing.
All Amen.
[Wilt thou not turn again and quicken us;
All that thy people may rejoice in thee?
O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us;
All and grant us thy salvation.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin;
All O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, hear our prayer;
All and let our cry come unto thee.]
Let us pray.
One or more of the following Collects is said
Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, this place,
and drive from it all the snares of the enemy;
let thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace;
and may thy blessing be upon us evermore;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord;
and by thy great mercy defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
All Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God,
who at this evening hour didst rest in the sepulchre,
and didst thereby sanctify the grave
to be a bed of hope to thy people:
make us so to abound in sorrow for our sins,
which were the cause of thy passion,
that when our bodies lie in the dust,
our souls may live with thee;
who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end.
All Amen.
Look down, O Lord, from thy heavenly throne,
illuminate the darkness of this night with thy celestial brightness,
and from the sons of light banish the deeds of darkness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
Be present, O merciful God,
and protect us through the silent hours of this night,
so that we who are wearied
by the changes and chances of this fleeting world,
may repose upon thy eternal changelessness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
The Conclusion
We will lay us down in peace and take our rest.
All For it is thou, Lord, only that makest us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, O Lord,
All for it is toward evening and the day is far spent.
As the watchmen look for the morning,
All so do we look for thee, O Christ.
[Come with the dawning of the day
All and make thyself known in the breaking of bread.]
The Lord be with you
All and with thy spirit.
Let us bless the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful Lord,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost,
bless us and preserve us.
All Amen.
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications
**************************************************************
Book of Common Prayer Daily Office Lectionary
Book of Common Prayer Daily Office Lectionary
December 22
<< Dec 21
Dec 22
Dec 23 >>
4 Advent
Ps. 72; Ps. 111, 113; Isa. 28:9-22; Rev. 21:9-21; Luke 1:26-38
Psalm 72
Give the King Your Justice
Of Solomon.
72:1 Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!
3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness!
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the children of the needy,
and crush the oppressor!
5 May they fear you [1] while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth!
7 In his days may the righteous flourish,
and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River [2] to the ends of the earth!
9 May desert tribes bow down before him,
and his enemies lick the dust!
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts!
11 May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him!
12 For he delivers the needy when he calls,
the poor and him who has no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
and precious is their blood in his sight.
15 Long may he live;
may gold of Sheba be given to him!
May prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked for him all the day!
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities
like the grass of the field!
17 May his name endure forever,
his fame continue as long as the sun!
May people be blessed in him,
all nations call him blessed!
18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!
20 The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
Psalm 111
Great Are the Lord's Works
111:1 [3] Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
Psalm 113
Who Is like the Lord Our God?
113:1 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!
4 The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
Isaiah 28:9-22
9 “To whom will he teach knowledge,
and to whom will he explain the message?
Those who are weaned from the milk,
those taken from the breast?
10 For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept,
line upon line, line upon line,
here a little, there a little.”
11 For by people of strange lips
and with a foreign tongue
the Lord will speak to this people,
12 to whom he has said,
“This is rest;
give rest to the weary;
and this is repose”;
yet they would not hear.
13 And the word of the Lord will be to them
precept upon precept, precept upon precept,
line upon line, line upon line,
here a little, there a little,
that they may go, and fall backward,
and be broken, and snared, and taken.
A Cornerstone in Zion
14 Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers,
who rule this people in Jerusalem!
15 Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death,
and with Sheol we have an agreement,
when the overwhelming whip passes through
it will not come to us,
for we have made lies our refuge,
and in falsehood we have taken shelter”;
16 therefore thus says the Lord God,
“Behold, I am the one who has laid [4] as a foundation in Zion,
a stone, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:
‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’
17 And I will make justice the line,
and righteousness the plumb line;
and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies,
and waters will overwhelm the shelter.”
18 Then your covenant with death will be annulled,
and your agreement with Sheol will not stand;
when the overwhelming scourge passes through,
you will be beaten down by it.
19 As often as it passes through it will take you;
for morning by morning it will pass through,
by day and by night;
and it will be sheer terror to understand the message.
20 For the bed is too short to stretch oneself on,
and the covering too narrow to wrap oneself in.
21 For the Lord will rise up as on Mount Perazim;
as in the Valley of Gibeon he will be roused;
to do his deed—strange is his deed!
and to work his work—alien is his work!
22 Now therefore do not scoff,
lest your bonds be made strong;
for I have heard a decree of destruction
from the Lord God of hosts against the whole land.
Revelation 21:9-21
The New Jerusalem
9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. [5] Its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits [6] by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. 18 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.
Luke 1:26-38
Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed [7] to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” [8] 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” [9]
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born [10] will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant [11] of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Footnotes
[1] 72:5 Septuagint He shall endure
[2] 72:8 That is, the Euphrates
[3] 111:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each line beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet
[4] 28:16 Dead Sea Scroll I am laying
[5] 21:16 About 1,380 miles; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
[6] 21:17 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
[7] 1:27 That is, legally pledged to be married
[8] 1:28 Some manuscripts add Blessed are you among women!
[9] 1:34 Greek since I do not know a man
[10] 1:35 Some manuscripts add of you
[11] 1:38 Greek bondservant; also verse 48
This reading plan is adapted from the Daily Office Lectionary found in The Book of Common Prayer.
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