KAL for December

PRAYER (traditional language) 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 thy 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 quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) 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 for ever.

FOR YEAR A

FIRST READING: Isaiah 2:1-5 (The time shall come when all peoples worship the LORD who has His house at Jerusalem.)

PSALM 122 (A song of pilgrims traveling toward Jerusalem.)

EPISTLE: Romans 13:8-14 (Paul says: Fulfil the law of God by loving one another. The day of the Lord will soon dawn. Cast off the works of darkness and be ready for the day.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 24:37-44 (Christ will return without warning, when He is least expected. Be ready at all times to meet Him.)

FOR YEAR B

FIRST READING: Isaiah 64:1-9a (We have sinned, and the LORD has forsaken us. Return in might, O LORD, and deliver us.)

PSALM 80 (or 80:1-7) (Restore us, O God; show us the light of thy countenance, and we shall be made whole.)

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (I, Paul, thank God for the grace he has given you, making you ready to meet Christ when he comes.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 13:(24-32)33-37 (Be always ready to meet the Lord when he returns.)

FOR YEAR C

FIRST READING: Zechariah 14:4-9 (The Day of the LORD is coming. There shall be no winter, and no night, and the LORD will be king over all the earth.)

PSALM 50 (or 50:1-6) (The LORD appears in glory and splendor to gather his people and to pronounce judgement.)

EPISTLE: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (We hope to see you soon. May Christ fill your hearts with love and holiness, and prepare you in every way for his coming.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 21:25-31 (There will be portents in heaven and tumults on earth, but be of courage, for your redemption draws near.)

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PRAYER (traditional language) Merciful God, who didst send thy 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 liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) 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 for ever.

FOR YEAR A

FIRST READING: Isaiah 11:1-10 (The Righteous Branch of David will estalish a kingdom of peace and love.)

PSALM 72 (The glorious kingdom of David's Son shall extend to the ends of the earth.)

EPISTLE: Romans 15:4-13 (Paul shows that the Scriptures predict that the Messiah will be welcomed by Gentiles as well as Jews.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 3:1-12 (The preaching of John the Baptist, preparing the way for Christ.)

FOR YEAR B

FIRST READING: Isaiah 40:1-11 (Speak words of comfort to Jerusalem. Her troubles are over. Cut down the mountains, fill up the valleys, and make a level highway in the desert, for the Lord GOD is coming. He will feed his flock and tend them with care.)

PSALM 85 *or* 85:7-13 (The LORD will restore his people. Mercy and truth, peace and righteousness, shall meet before him.)

EPISTLE: 2 Peter 3:8-15a,18 (If the Lord is slow to come in judgement, this is not tardiness, but mercy.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 1:1-8 (John the Baptist preaches in the desert, preparing the way for Christ.)

FOR YEAR C

FIRST READING: Baruch 5:1-9 Jerusalem, strip off your garment of mouring and affliction, and put on forever the glorious majesty, the gift of God. Wrap around you his robe of righteousness; place upon your head as a diadem the splendor of the Eternal. God will show your radiance to every land under heaven; from him you will receive forever the name Righteous Peace, the Splendor of Godliness. Arise, Jerusalem, stand upon the height; look eastwards and see your children assembled from west to east at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them. They went away from you on foot, led off by their enemies; but God is bringing them home to you, borne aloft in glory, as on a royal throne. All the high mmountains and everlasting hills are to be made low as God commanded, and every ravine is to be filled and levelled, that Israel may lwalk securely in the glory of God; and the woods and every fragrant tree will give Israel shade at God's command. He will lead Israel with joy by the light of his glory, in his merch and his righteousness.

ALTERNATE FIRST READING: (Malachi 3:1-4) ("Behold, I send my messenger. But who can abide the day of his coming? For he is like a refiner's fire.")

PSALM 126 (When the LORD restored the fortunes of his people, we were filled with shouts of joy.)

EPISTLE: Philippians 1:1-11 (I, Paul, thank God for the love visible among you, and pray that it will increase more and more until the day of Jesus Christ.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 3:1-6 (John the Baptist preaches beside the Jordan.)

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PRAYER (traditional language) Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end.

PRAYER (contemporary language) 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.

(NOTE: Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of this week are the traditional winter Ember Days. For the Propers, see cal.sep)

FOR YEAR A

FIRST READING: Isaiah 35:1-10 ("The desert shall blossom as a rose.... Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened.... The ransomed of the LORD shall return to Zion.")

PSALM 146 ("Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help... who delivers the oppressed, and feeds the hungry, and ..." For a metrical version, see Proper 18 Year B in cal.sep)

EPISTLE: James 5:7-10 ("Be patient as you await the coming of the Lord.")

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 11:2-11 (John the Baptist, in prison, sends Jesus a message: "Are you the promised deliverer, or is another yet to come?" Jesus tells the messengers: "Tell John what you have seen, how the lame walk, and the lepers are cleansed, and the poor have the Good News declared to them.")

FOR YEAR B

FIRST READING: Isaiah 65:17-25 (The LORD says: "Behold, I make new heavens and a new earth. My people shall have peace, and long life, and prosperity, and shall rejoice in the work of their hands. The wolf and lamb shall feed together, and no one shall hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain.")

PSALM 126 *or* Canticle 3 or 15 (When the LORD restored the fortunes of his people, we were filled with shouts of joy.)

EPISTLE: 1 Thessalonians 5:(12-15)16-28 (Deal lovingly with the brethren. Rejoice, pray, give thanks, do good. May God prepare you for the return of Christ.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 1:6-8,19-28 *or* John 3:23-30 (John the Baptist bears witness to Christ.)

FOR YEAR C

FIRST READING: Zephaniah 3:14-20 (Rejoice, O Jerusalem, for the LORD, your deliverer, is in your midst.)

PSALM 85 *or* 85:7-13 *or* Canticle 9 (The LORD will restore his people. Mercy and truth, peace and righteousness, shall meet before him.)

EPISTLE: Philippians 4:4-7(8-9) (The Lord is at hand. Be filled with joy, peace, and confidence.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 3:7-18 (John the Baptist warns the people of coming judgement, urges amendment of life, and speaks of the Christ to come.)

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Subject: The Advent Antiphons

THE ADVENT ANTIPHONS (THE SEVEN O'S)

The Advent Antiphons are at least as old as the ninth century, and a passage (3:12) in Boethius (d. 525) suggests that he may have been familiar with them. They are customarily said at Evening Prayer on seven days preceding Christmas, from 17 December to 24 December. (As you will notice, that is eight days, so you can (a) skip the Feast of Thomas the Apostle on 21 December, or (b) skip the Fourth Sunday of Advent, if your Sunday prayers usually follow a different pattern from your weekday ones, or (c) skip 24 December, if you are going to be at church that evening, or (d) skip 17 December and begin the Antiphons on the 18th. One way of using them is to say the antiphon, say an appropriate psalm or canticle, say the Gloria Patri, and repeat the antiphon. The most usual canticle for the purpose is the Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55). A shorter canticle that is also used is the Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32). But they can also be used with other hymns or prayers, or by themselves.

The antiphons address the Saviour under different titles taken from the Hebrew Scriptures, suggesting various promises that had been made to the Jewish people about the One who was to come. You will recognize the seven stanzas of the well-known Advent hymn, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," (except that the hymn-writer took the last and climactic antiphon for his first stanza). Each antiphon is here printed first in traditional and then in contemporary language, and then followed by an explanatory comment in parenthesis.

1ST ANTIPHON

O Wisdom who camest forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reachest from one end of the earth to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us in the way of prudence.

O Wisdom who came forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end of the earth to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us in the way of prudence.

(Christ is the Word and Wisdom of God (John 1:1, associated by early Christian commentators with Proverbs 8:1,22-31), existing with the Father and the Spirit from all eternity, through whom all things were made.)

2ND ANTIPHON

O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, who didst manifest thyself in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and didst give him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, who revealed yourself in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

("Adonai" is the Hebrew word for "Lord." Christ is the Lord who delivered the Israelites out of bondage (Exodus 3) and made them a people for himself.)

3RD ANTIPHON

O Root of Jesse, who standest as an ensign to the peoples; before whom kings will shut their mouths, and nations bow in worship: Come and deliver us, and tarry not.

O Root of Jesse, you who stand as an ensign to the peoples; before whom kings will shut their mouths, and nations bow in worship: Come and deliver us, and tarry not.

(Jesse is the father of David the King. God took David from his father's house, and made him King of Israel, and made the kingship of David an earthly symbol of the Kingdom of Christ. The antiphon refers to Isaiah 11:1,12 and 52:13-53:12.)

4TH ANTIPHON

O Key of David, and Scepter of the house of Israel, who openest and none can shut, who shuttest and none can open: Come and bring the captives out of the prison house, those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Key of David, and Scepter of the house of Israel, you who open and none can shut, who shut and none can open: Come and bring the captives out of the prison house, those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

(The reference is to Isaiah 22:22 and Revelation 3:7. Though the earthly fortunes of the dynasty of David and of the Jewish people may rise or fall, God is the Lord of history, and nothing can prevent the fulfilment of his purposes.)

5TH ANTIPHON

O Dayspring, Brightness of the Light Eternal, and Sun of Righteousness: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

(From the very last chapter of the Hebrew Scriptures, we have the prophecy of the Day when the Lord shall be revealed, a consuming fire to those who reject him, but to his own people a Sun whose rays bring light and healing and wholeness. Echoing it, we have the words of the father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:78-79) in what may be regarded as the last Messianic prophecy, the last inspired utterance before the birth of Christ.)

6TH ANTIPHON

O King of the nations, and their Desire, the cornerstone who makest us both one: Come and save the creature whom thou hast formed from clay.

O King of the nations, and their Desire, the cornerstone making us both one: Come and save the creature whom you have formed from clay.

(God is in Christ, reconciling the world to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19 and Colossians 1:20), and breaking down the ancient hostility between Jew and Gentile, between one nation and another, between one person and another, making of us one building with himself as the cornerstone, one body with himself as the head.)

7TH ANTIPHON

O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Hope of all peoples and their Salvation: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

("Imm-anu-el" is Hebrew for "with-us-God," and can be translated, "God is with us," or simply, "God with us." Matthew (1:23), quoting Isaiah (7:14), proclaims Jesus as the promised Deliverer, and as God with us, God our midst, the Word made flesh and dwelling among us. Thanks be to God.)

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PRAYER (traditional language) We beseech thee, Almighty God, to purify our consciences by thy daily visitation, that when thy Son Jesus Christ cometh he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) 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.

FOR YEAR A

FIRST READING: Isaiah 7:10-17 (Isaiah foretells the birth of Immanuel: "God is with us.")

PSALM 24 ("Open wide the gates, that the King of Glory may enter.")

EPISTLE: Romans 1:1-7 ("He was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 1:18-25 (Matthew tells of the conception and birth of Jesus Christ.)

FOR YEAR B

FIRST READING: 2 Samuel 7:4,8-16 (The LORD said to David: "I will establish your house, and one who comes from your body shall be called my son, and his throne shall endure forever.)

PSALM 132 (or 132:8-15)

EPISTLE: Romans 16:25-27 (To God be glory through Jesus Christ forever!)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 1:26-38 (The angel Gabriel speaks to Mary, and tells her that she is to bear one who will be called the Son of God.)

FOR YEAR C

FIRST READING: Micah 5:2-4 (Tiny Bethlehem will produce a king of Israel, who will be great to the ends of the earth.)

PSALM 80 (or 80:1-7) (Restore us, O God; show us the light of thy countenance, and we shall be made whole.)

EPISTLE: Hebrews 10:5-10 (The sacrifices of the Law are abolished, and in their place is set the perfect obedience of Christ.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 1:39-49(50-56) (Before the births of their respective children, Mary visits Elizabeth, and they both praise God for his goodness.)

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<The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day> =December 25=

(NOTE: Since many churches have more than one service on Christmas Day (including one at the beginning of the day, at midnight), three collects and three sets of readings are provided, not necessarily intended for for a three-year cycle.)

PRAYERS (traditional language) O God, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thy only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.

O God, who hast caused this holy night to shine with the illumination of the true Light: Grant us, we beseech thee, that as we have known the mystery of that Light upon earth, so may we also perfectly enjoy him in heaven; where with thee and the Holy Spirit he liveth and reigneth, one God, in glory everlasting.

Almighty God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, being regenerate and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end.

PRAYERS (contemporary language) O God, who 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.

O God, who 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.

Almighty God, who have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] 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 for ever.

Christmas Day I:

FIRST READING: Isaiah 9:2-4,6-7 ("Unto us a child is born")

PSALM 97 (or 97:1-4,11-12) ("Let heaven and earth rejoice to greet the coming Lord.")

EPISTLE: Titus 2:11-14 ("the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ")

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2:1-20 ("There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus... laid him in a manger... shepherds in the fields... "Glory to God in the Highest, and peace to His people on earth")

Christmas Day II:

FIRST READING: Isaiah 62:6-7,10-12 ("Say to the daughter of Zion: behold, your salvation comes!")

PSALM 97 (or 97:1-4,11-12) (The LORD is King... the heavens have declared his righteousness, and all the peoples have seen his glory.)

EPISTLE: Titus 3:4-7 (God has saved us, not because of our merit, but because of His generosity, cleansing and renewing us through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2:15-20 (The shepherds come to the manger to adore the Infant Jesus.)

Christmas Day III:

FIRST READING: Isaiah 52:7-10 (...all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.)

PSALM 98 *or* 98:1-6 (The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.)

EPISTLE: Hebrews 1:1-12 (God, who formerly spoke by the prophets, has now spoken through his Son.)

THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 1:1-14 ("In the beginning was the Word... and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth, and we beheld his glory.")

POEM FOR CHRISTMAS DAY: What follows is a selection of stanzas from a Christmas poem by William Dunbar (Scotland, 1460-1520). I have modified the spelling and changed a few words. Here are a few footnotes in advance.

RORATE, COELI DESUPER = "Drop dew, ye heavens, from above." It is the opening of an ancient hymn about the Nativity. PRO NOBIS PUER NATUS EST = "is born as a child for us." ET NOBIS PUER NATUS EST = "and is born as a child for us." GLORIA IN EXCELSIS (DEO) = "Glory (to God) in the highest." Phoebus (= "FEE-bus") = the sun.

I have heard it sung to a double quatrain of "Old 104th" alternating with a double quatrain of "Veni Creator," both in very free rhythm, and with the "Veni" starting and ending one tone lower than the "Old CIV". (Check the Index of Tunes in your hymnal.)

And now the poem.

RORATE COELI DESUPER, Heavens, distill your balmy showers, For now is risen the bright day star From the rosemary, flower of flowers. The clear sun, whom no cloud devours, Surmounting Phoebus in the East, Is come down of his heavenly towers ET NOBIS PUER NATUS EST.

Archangels, angels, dominations, Thrones, powers, and heaven's militia here, And all the heavenly operations, Star, planet, firmament and sphere, Fire, earth, air, and water clear, To him give loving most and least Who comes to bring us love and cheer ET NOBIS PUER NATUS EST.

Sinners, be glad and penance do, And thank your maker heartfully; For he that ye might not come to Comes to you in humility, Your souls with his own blood to buy And loose you of the fiend's arrest, And only of his own mercy PRO NOBIS PUER NATUS EST.

Sing, heaven imperial most of height. Regions of air, make harmony. All fish of flood and fowl of flight, Be mirthful and make melody. All GLORIA IN EXCELSIS cry, Heaven, earth, sea, man, bird, and beast. He that is throned above the sky PRO NOBIS PUER NATUS EST.

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PRAYER (traditional language) Almighty God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word: Grant that the same light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

PRAYER (contemporary language) Almighty God, who 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.

FOR ALL YEARS

FIRST READING: Isaiah 61:10--62:3 ("My soul shall be joyful in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation.")

PSALM 147 (or 147:13-21) (Praise the LORD, Who gives His people peace and prosperity.)

EPISTLE: Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 ("When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son")

THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 1:1-18 ("The Word was God...The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.")

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A SEQUENCE OF READINGS FOR AN ADVENT SERVICE

FIRST LESSON: Genesis 3:1-15 God announces in the Garden of Eden that the Seed of Woman shall bruise the serpent's head.

SECOND LESSON: Isaiah 6:1-13 God commissions Isaiah to be the prophet of the Advent.

THIRD LESSON: Isaiah 40:1-11 The prophet announces God's coming to Zion.

FOURTH LESSON: Daniel 7:9-10,13-14 Daniel beholds the Son of Man in His glory.

FIFTH LESSON: Isaiah 7:10-15 The Lord gives the House of David the Sign of Emmanuel

SIXTH LESSON: St. Luke 1:5-25 St. Luke tells of the birth of John the Baptist

SEVENTH LESSON: St. Luke 1:26-38 The Angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

PRAYER

V. We wait for thy loving kindness, R. In the midst of thy temple. P. Let us pray.

O God, who makest us glad with the yearly expectation of thy coming, Grant that we, who with joy receive thy only-begotten Son as our Redeemer, may without fear behold him when he shall come to be our Judge, even thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour all men; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Ghost.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you always. Amen.