Advent Readings 2019

Amen brother, I plan to post each daily because of travel today with the family I missed the first one but will do it here in this thread and we can post each additonal one here!

A great advent thought to consider.

"A humble saviour conceived into the womb of a humble woman and born into a humble manger. Humility is the inclination to bow low before God. Humility doesn't seek greatness, or signifigance, or recognition. It seeks to only obey the One, the truly great One." - Bishop Todd Atkinson

First Sunday of Advent
Dec 1st

"But as for me, I would seek God,
And to God I would commit my cause””

He sets on high those who are lowly,
And those who mourn are lifted to safety.

So the poor have hope,
And injustice shuts her mouth.
””Job 5:8, 11, 16 (NKJV)

Scripture Readings:

Isaiah 2:1”“5

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
”ƒand shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
”ƒMany peoples shall come and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
”ƒto the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
”ƒand that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
”ƒand the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
”ƒand shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
”ƒand their spears into pruning”“hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
”ƒneither shall they learn war any more.

Judgement Pronounced on Arrogance

O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
”ƒin the light of the Lord!

Prayers:

Thematic Prayer
God of justice and peace,
from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness,
that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder
before your marvelous deeds.
Raise our heads in expectation,
that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord
and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Intercessory Prayer
We seek the mighty God
in the most unlikely places
as a child in a stable,
and in an empty tomb.
May God hear these prayers,
which come from the unlikely corners of our lives.

Prayers of the People, concluding with:

Give us ears to hear, O God,
and eyes to watch,
that we may know your presence in our midst
during this holy season of joy
as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Scripture Prayer
Unexpected God,
your advent alarms us.
Wake us from drowsy worship,
from the sleep that neglects love,
and the sedative of misdirected frenzy.
Awaken us now to your coming,
and bend our angers into your peace. Amen.

Psalm 122

Song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

I was glad when they said to me,
”ƒ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’
Our feet are standing
”ƒwithin your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem””built as a city
”ƒthat is bound firmly together.
To it the tribes go up,
”ƒthe tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
”ƒto give thanks to the name of the Lord.
For there the thrones for judgement were set up,
”ƒthe thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
‘May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
”ƒand security within your towers.’
For the sake of my relatives and friends
”ƒI will say, ‘Peace be within you.’
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
”ƒI will seek your good.

Romans 13:11”“14

An Urgent Appeal

Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

St. Matthew 24:36”“44

The Necessity for Watchfulness

‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Monday Dec 2nd

Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.
(This Collect is to be repeated every day after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Eve.)

Psalm 1

The Two Ways

Happy are those
”ƒwho do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
”ƒor sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
”ƒand on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees
”ƒplanted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
”ƒand their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.

The wicked are not so,
”ƒbut are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
”ƒnor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
”ƒbut the way of the wicked will perish.

Amos 2:6”“16

Judgement on Israel

Thus says the Lord:
For three transgressions of Israel,
”ƒand for four, I will not revoke the punishment;
because they sell the righteous for silver,
”ƒand the needy for a pair of sandals””
they who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth,
”ƒand push the afflicted out of the way;
father and son go in to the same girl,
”ƒso that my holy name is profaned;
they lay themselves down beside every altar
”ƒon garments taken in pledge;
and in the house of their God they drink
”ƒwine bought with fines they imposed.

Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them,
”ƒwhose height was like the height of cedars,
”ƒand who was as strong as oaks;
I destroyed his fruit above,
”ƒand his roots beneath.
Also I brought you up out of the land of Egypt,
”ƒand led you for forty years in the wilderness,
”ƒto possess the land of the Amorite.
And I raised up some of your children to be prophets
”ƒand some of your youths to be nazirites.
”ƒIs it not indeed so, O people of Israel?
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord.”ƒ

But you made the nazirites drink wine,
”ƒand commanded the prophets,
”ƒsaying, ‘You shall not prophesy.’

So, I will press you down in your place,
”ƒjust as a cart presses down
”ƒwhen it is full of sheaves.
Flight shall perish from the swift,
”ƒand the strong shall not retain their strength,
”ƒnor shall the mighty save their lives;
those who handle the bow shall not stand,
”ƒand those who are swift of foot shall not save themselves,
”ƒnor shall those who ride horses save their lives;
and those who are stout of heart among the mighty
”ƒshall flee away naked on that day,
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord.

II Peter 1:1”“11

Salutation

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received a faith as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:

May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

The Christian’s Call and Election

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants in the divine nature. For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self”“control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For anyone who lacks these things is short”“sighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

St. Matthew 21:1”“11

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, "The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

‘Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
”ƒhumble, and mounted on a donkey,
”ƒ”ƒand on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
”ƒBlessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Tuesday Dec 3rd

Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.
(This Collect is to be repeated every day after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Eve.)

Psalm 5

Trust in God for Deliverance from Enemies

Give ear to my words, O Lord;
”ƒgive heed to my sighing.
Listen to the sound of my cry,
”ƒmy King and my God,
”ƒfor to you I pray.
O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
”ƒin the morning I plead my case to you, and watch.

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
”ƒevil will not sojourn with you.
The boastful will not stand before your eyes;
”ƒyou hate all evildoers.
You destroy those who speak lies;
”ƒthe Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful.

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
”ƒwill enter your house,
I will bow down towards your holy temple
”ƒin awe of you.
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
”ƒbecause of my enemies;
”ƒmake your way straight before me.

For there is no truth in their mouths;
”ƒtheir hearts are destruction;
their throats are open graves;
”ƒthey flatter with their tongues.
Make them bear their guilt, O God;
”ƒlet them fall by their own counsels;
because of their many transgressions cast them out,
”ƒfor they have rebelled against you.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
”ƒlet them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
”ƒso that those who love your name may exult in you.
For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
”ƒyou cover them with favour as with a shield.

Amos 3:1”“11

Israel’s Guilt and Punishment

Hear this word that the Lord has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt:

You only have I known
”ƒof all the families of the earth;
therefore I will punish you
”ƒfor all your iniquities.

Do two walk together
”ƒunless they have made an appointment?
Does a lion roar in the forest,
”ƒwhen it has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out from its den,
”ƒif it has caught nothing?
Does a bird fall into a snare on the earth,
”ƒwhen there is no trap for it?
Does a snare spring up from the ground,
”ƒwhen it has taken nothing?
Is a trumpet blown in a city,
”ƒand the people are not afraid?
Does disaster befall a city,
”ƒunless the Lord has done it?
Surely the Lord God does nothing,
”ƒwithout revealing his secret
”ƒto his servants the prophets.
The lion has roared;
”ƒwho will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken;
”ƒwho can but prophesy?

Proclaim to the strongholds in Ashdod,
”ƒand to the strongholds in the land of Egypt,
and say, ‘Assemble yourselves on Mount Samaria,
”ƒand see what great tumults are within it,
”ƒand what oppressions are in its midst.’
They do not know how to do right, says the Lord,
”ƒthose who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds.
Therefore, thus says the Lord God:
An adversary shall surround the land,
”ƒand strip you of your defence;
”ƒand your strongholds shall be plundered.

II Peter 1:12”“21

Therefore I intend to keep on reminding you of these things, though you know them already and are established in the truth that has come to you. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory, since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Eyewitnesses of Christ’s Glory

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honour and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

St. Matthew 21:1”“11

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, "The Lord needs them.” And he will send them immediately.’ This took place to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

‘Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
”ƒhumble, and mounted on a donkey,
”ƒ”ƒand on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
”ƒBlessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Wednesday, Dec 4th

Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.
(This Collect is to be repeated every day after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Eve.)

Psalm 119:1”“24

The Glories of God’s Law

Happy are those whose way is blameless,
”ƒwho walk in the law of the Lord.
Happy are those who keep his decrees,
”ƒwho seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
”ƒbut walk in his ways.
You have commanded your precepts
”ƒto be kept diligently.
O that my ways may be steadfast
”ƒin keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
”ƒhaving my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
”ƒwhen I learn your righteous ordinances.
I will observe your statutes;
”ƒdo not utterly forsake me.

How can young people keep their way pure?
”ƒBy guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
”ƒdo not let me stray from your commandments.
I treasure your word in my heart,
”ƒso that I may not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O Lord;
”ƒteach me your statutes.
With my lips I declare
”ƒall the ordinances of your mouth.
I delight in the way of your decrees
”ƒas much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts,
”ƒand fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
”ƒI will not forget your word.

Deal bountifully with your servant,
”ƒso that I may live and observe your word.
Open my eyes, so that I may behold
”ƒwondrous things out of your law.
I live as an alien in the land;
”ƒdo not hide your commandments from me.
My soul is consumed with longing
”ƒfor your ordinances at all times.
You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
”ƒwho wander from your commandments;
take away from me their scorn and contempt,
”ƒfor I have kept your decrees.
Even though princes sit plotting against me,
”ƒyour servant will meditate on your statutes.
Your decrees are my delight,
”ƒthey are my counsellors.

Amos 3:12”“4:5

Thus says the Lord: As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who live in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed.

Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob,
”ƒsays the Lord God, the God of hosts:
On the day I punish Israel for its transgressions,
”ƒI will punish the altars of Bethel,
and the horns of the altar shall be cut off
”ƒand fall to the ground.
I will tear down the winter house as well as the summer house;
”ƒand the houses of ivory shall perish,
and the great houses shall come to an end,
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord.

Hear this word, you cows of Bashan
”ƒwho are on Mount Samaria,
who oppress the poor, who crush the needy,
”ƒwho say to their husbands, ‘Bring something to drink!’
The Lord God has sworn by his holiness:
”ƒThe time is surely coming upon you,
when they shall take you away with hooks,
”ƒeven the last of you with fish”“hooks.
Through breaches in the wall you shall leave,
”ƒeach one straight ahead;
”ƒand you shall be flung out into Harmon,
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord.
Come to Bethel””and transgress;
”ƒto Gilgal””and multiply transgression;
bring your sacrifices every morning,
”ƒyour tithes every three days;
bring a thank”“offering of leavened bread,
”ƒand proclaim freewill-offerings, publish them;
”ƒfor so you love to do, O people of Israel!
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord God.

II Peter 3:1”“10

The Promise of the Lord’s Coming

This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour spoken through your apostles. First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!’ They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgement and destruction of the godless.

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

St. Matthew 21:23”“32

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, "From heaven”, he will say to us, "Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, "Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, "Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, "I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, "I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax”“collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax”“collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

Thursday, Dec 5th

Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.
(This Collect is to be repeated every day after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Eve.)

Psalm 18:1”“19

Royal Thanksgiving for Victory

To the leader. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who addressed the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,
”ƒmy God, my rock in whom I take refuge,
”ƒmy shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
”ƒso I shall be saved from my enemies.

The cords of death encompassed me;
”ƒthe torrents of perdition assailed me;
the cords of Sheol entangled me;
”ƒthe snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called upon the Lord;
”ƒto my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
”ƒand my cry to him reached his ears.

Then the earth reeled and rocked;
”ƒthe foundations also of the mountains trembled
”ƒand quaked, because he was angry.
Smoke went up from his nostrils,
”ƒand devouring fire from his mouth;
”ƒglowing coals flamed forth from him.
He bowed the heavens, and came down;
”ƒthick darkness was under his feet.
He rode on a cherub, and flew;
”ƒhe came swiftly upon the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his covering around him,
”ƒhis canopy thick clouds dark with water.
Out of the brightness before him
”ƒthere broke through his clouds
”ƒhailstones and coals of fire.
The Lord also thundered in the heavens,
”ƒand the Most High uttered his voice.
And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them;
”ƒhe flashed forth lightnings, and routed them.
Then the channels of the sea were seen,
”ƒand the foundations of the world were laid bare
at your rebuke, O Lord,
”ƒat the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

He reached down from on high, he took me;
”ƒhe drew me out of mighty waters.
He delivered me from my strong enemy,
”ƒand from those who hated me;
”ƒfor they were too mighty for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity;
”ƒbut the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a broad place;
”ƒhe delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Amos 4:6”“13

Israel Rejects Correction

I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities,
”ƒand lack of bread in all your places,
yet you did not return to me,
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord.

And I also withheld the rain from you
”ƒwhen there were still three months to the harvest;
I would send rain on one city,
”ƒand send no rain on another city;
one field would be rained upon,
”ƒand the field on which it did not rain withered;
so two or three towns wandered to one town
”ƒto drink water, and were not satisfied;
yet you did not return to me,
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord.

I struck you with blight and mildew;
”ƒI laid waste your gardens and your vineyards;
”ƒthe locust devoured your fig trees and your olive trees;
yet you did not return to me,
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord.

I sent among you a pestilence after the manner of Egypt;
”ƒI killed your young men with the sword;
I carried away your horses;
”ƒand I made the stench of your camp go up into your nostrils;
yet you did not return to me,
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord.”ƒ

I overthrew some of you,
”ƒas when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,
”ƒand you were like a brand snatched from the fire;
yet you did not return to me,
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord.

Therefore, thus I will do to you, O Israel;
”ƒbecause I will do this to you,
”ƒprepare to meet your God, O Israel!

For lo, the one who forms the mountains, creates the wind,
”ƒreveals his thoughts to mortals,
makes the morning darkness,
”ƒand treads on the heights of the earth””
”ƒthe Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!

II Peter 3:11”“18

Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

Final Exhortation and Doxology

Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

St. Matthew 21:33”“46

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, "This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’

Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:

"The stone that the builders rejected
”ƒhas become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
”ƒand it is amazing in our eyes”?

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.’

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

Friday, Dec 6th

Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.
(This Collect is to be repeated every day after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Eve.)

Psalm 16

Song of Trust and Security in God

A Miktam of David.

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
”ƒI have no good apart from you.’

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
”ƒin whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
”ƒtheir drink”“offerings of blood I will not pour out
”ƒor take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
”ƒyou hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
”ƒI have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
”ƒin the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
”ƒbecause he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
”ƒmy body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
”ƒor let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.
”ƒIn your presence there is fullness of joy;
”ƒin your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Amos 5:1”“17

A Lament for Israel’s Sin

Hear this word that I take up over you in lamentation, O house of Israel:

Fallen, no more to rise,
”ƒis maiden Israel;
forsaken on her land,
”ƒwith no one to raise her up.

For thus says the Lord God:
The city that marched out a thousand
”ƒshall have a hundred left,
and that which marched out a hundred
”ƒshall have ten left.

For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel:
Seek me and live;
”ƒbut do not seek Bethel,
and do not enter into Gilgal
”ƒor cross over to Beer-sheba;
for Gilgal shall surely go into exile,
”ƒand Bethel shall come to nothing.

Seek the Lord and live
”ƒor he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire,
”ƒand it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it.
Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood,
”ƒand bring righteousness to the ground!

The one who made the Pleiades and Orion,
”ƒand turns deep darkness into the morning,
”ƒand darkens the day into night,
who calls for the waters of the sea,
”ƒand pours them out on the surface of the earth,
the Lord is his name,
who makes destruction flash out against the strong,
”ƒso that destruction comes upon the fortress.

They hate the one who reproves in the gate,
”ƒand they abhor the one who speaks the truth.
Therefore, because you trample on the poor
”ƒand take from them levies of grain,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
”ƒbut you shall not live in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
”ƒbut you shall not drink their wine.
For I know how many are your transgressions,
”ƒand how great are your sins””
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
”ƒand push aside the needy in the gate.
Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time;
”ƒfor it is an evil time.

Seek good and not evil,
”ƒthat you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
”ƒjust as you have said.
Hate evil and love good,
”ƒand establish justice in the gate;
”ƒit may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
”ƒ”ƒwill be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord:
In all the squares there shall be wailing;
”ƒand in all the streets they shall say, ‘Alas! alas!’
They shall call the farmers to mourning,
”ƒand those skilled in lamentation, to wailing;
”ƒin all the vineyards there shall be wailing,
”ƒfor I will pass through the midst of you,
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord.

Jude 1:1”“16

Salutation

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,

To those who are called, who are beloved in God the Father and kept safe for Jesus Christ:

May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.

Occasion of the Letter

Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Judgement on False Teachers

Now I desire to remind you, though you are fully informed, that the Lord, who once for all saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their own position, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deepest darkness for the judgement of the great day. Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

Yet in the same way these dreamers also defile the flesh, reject authority, and slander the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael contended with the devil and disputed about the body of Moses, he did not dare to bring a condemnation of slander against him, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’ But these people slander whatever they do not understand, and they are destroyed by those things that, like irrational animals, they know by instinct. Woe to them! For they go the way of Cain, and abandon themselves to Balaam’s error for the sake of gain, and perish in Korah’s rebellion. These are blemishes on your love-feasts, while they feast with you without fear, feeding themselves. They are waterless clouds carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved for ever.

It was also about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, ‘See, the Lord is coming with tens of thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgement on all, and to convict everyone of all the deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.’ These are grumblers and malcontents; they indulge their own lusts; they are bombastic in speech, flattering people to their own advantage.

St. Matthew 22:1”“14

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, "Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, "The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, "Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, "Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’

Saturday, Dec 7th

Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.
(This Collect is to be repeated every day after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Eve.)

Psalm 20

Prayer for Victory

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
”ƒThe name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary,
”ƒand give you support from Zion.
May he remember all your offerings,
”ƒand regard with favour your burnt sacrifices.”ƒSelah

May he grant you your heart’s desire,
”ƒand fulfil all your plans.
May we shout for joy over your victory,
”ƒand in the name of our God set up our banners.
May the Lord fulfil all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;
”ƒhe will answer him from his holy heaven
”ƒwith mighty victories by his right hand.
Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
”ƒbut our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.
They will collapse and fall,
”ƒbut we shall rise and stand upright.

Give victory to the king, O Lord;
”ƒanswer us when we call.

Amos 5:18”“27

The Day of the Lord a Dark Day

Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!
”ƒWhy do you want the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, not light;
”ƒas if someone fled from a lion,
”ƒand was met by a bear;
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
”ƒand was bitten by a snake.
Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,
”ƒand gloom with no brightness in it?

I hate, I despise your festivals,
”ƒand I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain”“offerings,
”ƒI will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
”ƒI will not look upon.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
”ƒI will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters,
”ƒand righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You shall take up Sakkuth your king, and Kaiwan your star”“god, your images that you made for yourselves; therefore I will take you into exile beyond Damascus, says the Lord, whose name is the God of hosts.

I Thessalonians 4:13”“18

The Coming of the Lord

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

St. Luke 21:5”“19

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’

Signs and Persecutions

They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, "I am he!” and, "The time is near!” Do not go after them.

‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.

Second Sunday of Advent

"Thus says the Lord of hosts:

‘Execute true justice,
Show mercy and compassion
Everyone to his brother.
””Zechariah 7:9 (NKJV)
Scripture Readings:

Isaiah 11:1”“10

The Peaceful Kingdom

A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,
”ƒand a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
”ƒthe spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
”ƒthe spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
”ƒHis delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
”ƒor decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
”ƒand decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
”ƒand with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
”ƒand faithfulness the belt around his loins.

The wolf shall live with the lamb,
”ƒthe leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
”ƒand a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
”ƒtheir young shall lie down together;
”ƒand the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
”ƒand the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
”ƒon all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
”ƒas the waters cover the sea.

Return of the Remnant of Israel and Judah

On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

Prayers:

Thematic Prayer
God of timeless grace,
you fill us with joyful expectation.
Make us ready for the message that prepares the way,
that with uprightness of heart and holy joy
we may eagerly await the kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen

Intercessory Prayer
God of hope,
you raised up John the baptizer
as a herald who calls us to conversion.
As we joyfully await the glorious coming of Christ,
we pray to you for the needs of the church and the world.

Prayers of the People, concluding with:

Hear our humble prayer
that we may serve you in holiness and faith
and give voice to your presence among us
until the day of the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture Prayer
Labouring God,
with axe and winnowing fork
you clear a holy space
where hurt and destruction have no place,
and a little child holds sway.
Clear our lives of hatred and despair,
sow seeds of joy and peace,
that shoots of hope may spring forth
and we may live in harmony
with one another. Amen.

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King

Of Solomon.

Give the king your justice, O God,
”ƒand your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness,
”ƒand your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
”ƒand the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
”ƒgive deliverance to the needy,
”ƒand crush the oppressor.

May he live while the sun endures,
”ƒand as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
”ƒlike showers that water the earth.
In his days may righteousness flourish
”ƒand peace abound, until the moon is no more.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
”ƒwho alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name for ever;
”ƒmay his glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.

Romans 15:4”“13

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel for Jews and Gentiles Alike

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

‘Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
”ƒand sing praises to your name’;

and again he says,

‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’;

and again,

‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
”ƒand let all the peoples praise him’;

and again Isaiah says,

‘The root of Jesse shall come,
”ƒthe one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope.’

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

St. Matthew 3:1”“12

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
"Prepare the way of the Lord,
”ƒmake his paths straight.”’

Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing”“fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing”“floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

Monday, Dec 9th

Collect

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. Amen.

Conclude with

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.

Psalm 25

Prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance

Of David.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
”ƒdo not let me be put to shame;
”ƒdo not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
”ƒlet them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
”ƒteach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
”ƒfor you are the God of my salvation;
”ƒfor you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
”ƒfor they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
”ƒaccording to your steadfast love remember me,
”ƒfor your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;
”ƒtherefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
”ƒand teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
”ƒfor those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

For your name’s sake, O Lord,
”ƒpardon my guilt, for it is great.
Who are they that fear the Lord?
”ƒHe will teach them the way that they should choose.

They will abide in prosperity,
”ƒand their children shall possess the land.
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
”ƒand he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever towards the Lord,
”ƒfor he will pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
”ƒfor I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart,
”ƒand bring me out of my distress.
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
”ƒand forgive all my sins.

Consider how many are my foes,
”ƒand with what violent hatred they hate me.
O guard my life, and deliver me;
”ƒdo not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
”ƒfor I wait for you.

Redeem Israel, O God,
”ƒout of all its troubles.

Amos 7:1”“9

Locusts, Fire, and a Plumb”“Line

This is what the Lord God showed me: he was forming locusts at the time the latter growth began to sprout (it was the latter growth after the king’s mowings). When they had finished eating the grass of the land, I said,

‘O Lord God, forgive, I beg you!
”ƒHow can Jacob stand?
”ƒHe is so small!’
The Lord relented concerning this;
”ƒ‘It shall not be,’ said the Lord.

This is what the Lord God showed me: the Lord God was calling for a shower of fire, and it devoured the great deep and was eating up the land. Then I said,

‘O Lord God, cease, I beg you!
”ƒHow can Jacob stand?
”ƒHe is so small!’
The Lord relented concerning this;
”ƒ‘This also shall not be,’ said the Lord God.

This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb”“line, with a plumb”“line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘A plumb”“line.’ Then the Lord said,

‘See, I am setting a plumb”“line
”ƒin the midst of my people Israel;
”ƒI will never again pass them by;
the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate,
”ƒand the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste,
”ƒand I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.’

Revelation 1:1”“8

Introduction and Salutation

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place; he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near.

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Look! He is coming with the clouds;
”ƒevery eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
”ƒand on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.

So it is to be. Amen.

‘I am the Alpha and the Omega’, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

St. Matthew 22:23”“33

The Question about the Resurrection

The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, ‘Teacher, Moses said, "If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother.” Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother. The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh. Last of all, the woman herself died. In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her.’

Jesus answered them, ‘You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.’ And when the crowd heard it, they were astounded at his teaching.

Tuesday, Dec 10th

Collect

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. Amen.

Conclude with

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.

Psalm 26

Plea for Justice and Declaration of Righteousness

Of David.

Vindicate me, O Lord,
”ƒfor I have walked in my integrity,
”ƒand I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
”ƒtest my heart and mind.
For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
”ƒand I walk in faithfulness to you.

I do not sit with the worthless,
”ƒnor do I consort with hypocrites;
I hate the company of evildoers,
”ƒand will not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence,
”ƒand go around your altar, O Lord,
singing aloud a song of thanksgiving,
”ƒand telling all your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell,
”ƒand the place where your glory abides.
Do not sweep me away with sinners,
”ƒnor my life with the bloodthirsty,
those in whose hands are evil devices,
”ƒand whose right hands are full of bribes.

But as for me, I walk in my integrity;
”ƒredeem me, and be gracious to me.
My foot stands on level ground;
”ƒin the great congregation I will bless the Lord.

Amos 7:10”“17

Amaziah Complains to the King

Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, ‘Amos has conspired against you in the very centre of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said,

"Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
”ƒand Israel must go into exile
”ƒaway from his land.”’

And Amaziah said to Amos, ‘O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.’

Then Amos answered Amaziah, ‘I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycomore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, "Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”

‘Now therefore hear the word of the Lord.
You say, "Do not prophesy against Israel,
”ƒand do not preach against the house of Isaac.”
Therefore, thus says the Lord:
"Your wife shall become a prostitute in the city,
”ƒand your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword,
”ƒand your land shall be parcelled out by line;
you yourself shall die in an unclean land,
”ƒand Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.”’

Revelation 1:9”“16

A Vision of Christ

I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, ‘Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.’

Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining with full force.

St. Matthew 22:34”“46

The Greatest Commandment

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’

The Question about David’s Son

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ‘What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,

"The Lord said to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand,
”ƒuntil I put your enemies under your feet’”?

If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’ No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Wednesday, Dec 11th

Collect

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. Amen.

Conclude with

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.

Psalm 38

A Penitent Sufferer’s Plea for Healing

A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger,
”ƒor discipline me in your wrath.
For your arrows have sunk into me,
”ƒand your hand has come down on me.

There is no soundness in my flesh
”ƒbecause of your indignation;
there is no health in my bones
”ƒbecause of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head;
”ƒthey weigh like a burden too heavy for me.

My wounds grow foul and fester
”ƒbecause of my foolishness;
I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
”ƒall day long I go around mourning.
For my loins are filled with burning,
”ƒand there is no soundness in my flesh.
I am utterly spent and crushed;
”ƒI groan because of the tumult of my heart.

O Lord, all my longing is known to you;
”ƒmy sighing is not hidden from you.
My heart throbs, my strength fails me;
”ƒas for the light of my eyes””it also has gone from me.
My friends and companions stand aloof from my affliction,
”ƒand my neighbours stand far off.

Those who seek my life lay their snares;
”ƒthose who seek to hurt me speak of ruin,
”ƒand meditate treachery all day long.

But I am like the deaf, I do not hear;
”ƒlike the mute, who cannot speak.
Truly, I am like one who does not hear,
”ƒand in whose mouth is no retort.

But it is for you, O Lord, that I wait;
”ƒit is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
For I pray, ‘Only do not let them rejoice over me,
”ƒthose who boast against me when my foot slips.’

For I am ready to fall,
”ƒand my pain is ever with me.
I confess my iniquity;
”ƒI am sorry for my sin.
Those who are my foes without cause are mighty,
”ƒand many are those who hate me wrongfully.
Those who render me evil for good
”ƒare my adversaries because I follow after good.

Do not forsake me, O Lord;
”ƒO my God, do not be far from me;
make haste to help me,
”ƒO Lord, my salvation.

Amos 8:1”“14

The Basket of Fruit

This is what the Lord God showed me””a basket of summer fruit. He said, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘A basket of summer fruit.’ Then the Lord said to me,

‘The end has come upon my people Israel;
”ƒI will never again pass them by.
The songs of the temple shall become wailings on that day,’
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord God;
‘the dead bodies shall be many,
”ƒcast out in every place. Be silent!’

Hear this, you that trample on the needy,
”ƒand bring to ruin the poor of the land,
saying, ‘When will the new moon be over
”ƒso that we may sell grain;
and the sabbath,
”ƒso that we may offer wheat for sale?
We will make the ephah small and the shekel great,
”ƒand practise deceit with false balances,
buying the poor for silver
”ƒand the needy for a pair of sandals,
”ƒand selling the sweepings of the wheat.’

The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob:
Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.
Shall not the land tremble on this account,
”ƒand everyone mourn who lives in it,
and all of it rise like the Nile,
”ƒand be tossed about and sink again, like the Nile of Egypt?

On that day, says the Lord God,
”ƒI will make the sun go down at noon,
”ƒand darken the earth in broad daylight.
I will turn your feasts into mourning,
”ƒand all your songs into lamentation;
I will bring sackcloth on all loins,
”ƒand baldness on every head;
I will make it like the mourning for an only son,
”ƒand the end of it like a bitter day.

The time is surely coming, says the Lord God,
”ƒwhen I will send a famine on the land;
not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water,
”ƒbut of hearing the words of the Lord.
They shall wander from sea to sea,
”ƒand from north to east;
they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
”ƒbut they shall not find it.

In that day the beautiful young women and the young men shall faint for thirst.
Those who swear by Ashimah of Samaria,
”ƒand say, ‘As your god lives, O Dan’,
and, ‘As the way of Beer”“sheba lives’””
”ƒthey shall fall, and never rise again.

Revelation 1:17”“2:7

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive for ever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. Now write what you have seen, what is, and what is to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

The Message to Ephesus

‘To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands:

‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.

St. Matthew 23:1”“12

Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father””the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Thursday, Dec 12th

Collect

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. Amen.

Conclude with

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.

Psalm 37:1”“17

Exhortation to Patience and Trust

Of David.

Do not fret because of the wicked;
”ƒdo not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
”ƒand wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
”ƒso you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
”ƒand he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
”ƒtrust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light,
”ƒand the justice of your cause like the noonday.

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
”ƒdo not fret over those who prosper in their way,
”ƒover those who carry out evil devices.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
”ƒDo not fret””it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
”ƒbut those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
”ƒthough you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land,
”ƒand delight in abundant prosperity.

The wicked plot against the righteous,
”ƒand gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
”ƒfor he sees that their day is coming.

The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
”ƒto bring down the poor and needy,
”ƒto kill those who walk uprightly;
their sword shall enter their own heart,
”ƒand their bows shall be broken.

Better is a little that the righteous person has
”ƒthan the abundance of many wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
”ƒbut the Lord upholds the righteous.

Amos 9:1”“10

The Destruction of Israel

I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and he said:

Strike the capitals until the thresholds shake,
”ƒand shatter them on the heads of all the people;
and those who are left I will kill with the sword;
”ƒnot one of them shall flee away,
”ƒnot one of them shall escape.

Though they dig into Sheol,
”ƒfrom there shall my hand take them;
though they climb up to heaven,
”ƒfrom there I will bring them down.
Though they hide themselves on the top of Carmel,
”ƒfrom there I will search out and take them;
and though they hide from my sight at the bottom of the sea,
”ƒthere I will command the sea”“serpent, and it shall bite them.
And though they go into captivity in front of their enemies,
”ƒthere I will command the sword, and it shall kill them;
and I will fix my eyes on them
”ƒfor harm and not for good.

The Lord, God of hosts,
he who touches the earth and it melts,
”ƒand all who live in it mourn,
and all of it rises like the Nile,
”ƒand sinks again, like the Nile of Egypt;
who builds his upper chambers in the heavens,
”ƒand founds his vault upon the earth;
who calls for the waters of the sea,
”ƒand pours them out upon the surface of the earth””
the Lord is his name.

Are you not like the Ethiopians to me,
”ƒO people of Israel? says the Lord.
Did I not bring Israel up from the land of Egypt,
”ƒand the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?
The eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom,
”ƒand I will destroy it from the face of the earth
”ƒ””except that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,
”ƒ”ƒsays the Lord.

For lo, I will command,
”ƒand shake the house of Israel among all the nations
as one shakes with a sieve,
”ƒbut no pebble shall fall to the ground.
All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword,
”ƒwho say, ‘Evil shall not overtake or meet us.’

Revelation 2:8”“17

The Message to Smyrna

‘And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life:

‘I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death.

The Message to Pergamum

‘And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword:

‘I know where you are living, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling”“block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practise fornication. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.

St. Matthew 23:13”“26

‘But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

‘Woe to you, blind guides, who say, "Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.” You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, "Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.” How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practised without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self”“indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.

Friday, Dec 13th

Collect

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. Amen.

Conclude with

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.

Psalm 31

Prayer and Praise for Deliverance from Enemies

In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
”ƒdo not let me ever be put to shame;
”ƒin your righteousness deliver me.
Incline your ear to me;
”ƒrescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
”ƒa strong fortress to save me.

You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
”ƒfor your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
”ƒfor you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
”ƒyou have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
”ƒbut I trust in the Lord.
I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,
”ƒbecause you have seen my affliction;
”ƒyou have taken heed of my adversities,
and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
”ƒyou have set my feet in a broad place.

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
”ƒmy eye wastes away from grief,
”ƒmy soul and body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow,
”ƒand my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,
”ƒand my bones waste away.

I am the scorn of all my adversaries,
”ƒa horror to my neighbours,
an object of dread to my acquaintances;
”ƒthose who see me in the street flee from me.
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;
”ƒI have become like a broken vessel.
For I hear the whispering of many””
”ƒterror all around!””
as they scheme together against me,
”ƒas they plot to take my life.

But I trust in you, O Lord;
”ƒI say, ‘You are my God.’
My times are in your hand;
”ƒdeliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
”ƒsave me in your steadfast love.
Do not let me be put to shame, O Lord,
”ƒfor I call on you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
”ƒlet them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
Let the lying lips be stilled
”ƒthat speak insolently against the righteous
”ƒwith pride and contempt.

O how abundant is your goodness
”ƒthat you have laid up for those who fear you,
and accomplished for those who take refuge in you,
”ƒin the sight of everyone!
In the shelter of your presence you hide them
”ƒfrom human plots;
you hold them safe under your shelter
”ƒfrom contentious tongues.

Blessed be the Lord,
”ƒfor he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
”ƒwhen I was beset as a city under siege.
I had said in my alarm,
”ƒ‘I am driven far from your sight.’
But you heard my supplications
”ƒwhen I cried out to you for help.

Love the Lord, all you his saints.
”ƒThe Lord preserves the faithful,
”ƒbut abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
”ƒall you who wait for the Lord.

Haggai 1:1”“15

The Command to Rebuild the Temple

In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest: Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house. Then the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your panelled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and you that earn wages earn wages to put them into a bag with holes.

Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honoured, says the Lord. You have looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because my house lies in ruins, while all of you hurry off to your own houses. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the soil produces, on human beings and animals, and on all their labours.

Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of the prophet Haggai, as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared the Lord. Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, saying, I am with you, says the Lord. And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, on the twenty”“fourth day of the month, in the sixth month.

Revelation 2:18”“29

The Message to Thyatira

‘And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze:

‘I know your works””your love, faith, service, and patient endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first. But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practise fornication and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her fornication. Beware, I am throwing her on a bed, and those who commit adultery with her I am throwing into great distress, unless they repent of her doings; and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call "the deep things of Satan”, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden; only hold fast to what you have until I come. To everyone who conquers and continues to do my works to the end,

I will give authority over the nations;
to rule them with an iron rod,
”ƒas when clay pots are shattered””

even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who conquers I will also give the morning star. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

St. Matthew 23:27”“39

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, "If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.” Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors. You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.

The Lament over Jerusalem

‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”’

Saturday, Dec 14th

Collect

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. Amen.

Conclude with

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.

Psalm 30

Thanksgiving for Recovery from Grave Illness

A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the temple. Of David.

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,
”ƒand did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
”ƒand you have healed me.
O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
”ƒrestored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
”ƒand give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment;
”ƒhis favour is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
”ƒbut joy comes with the morning.

As for me, I said in my prosperity,
”ƒ‘I shall never be moved.’
By your favour, O Lord,
”ƒyou had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face;
”ƒI was dismayed.

To you, O Lord, I cried,
”ƒand to the Lord I made supplication:
‘What profit is there in my death,
”ƒif I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
”ƒWill it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!
”ƒO Lord, be my helper!’

You have turned my mourning into dancing;
”ƒyou have taken off my sackcloth
”ƒand clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
”ƒO Lord my God, I will give thanks to you for ever.

Haggai 2:1”“19

The Future Glory of the Temple

In the second year of King Darius, in the seventh month, on the twenty”“first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendour, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of hosts. The latter splendour of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts.

A Rebuke and a Promise

On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests for a ruling: If one carries consecrated meat in the fold of one’s garment, and with the fold touches bread, or stew, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does it become holy? The priests answered, ‘No.’ Then Haggai said, ‘If one who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?’ The priests answered, ‘Yes, it becomes unclean.’ Haggai then said, So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, says the Lord; and so with every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean. But now, consider what will come to pass from this day on. Before a stone was placed upon a stone in the Lord’s temple, how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and mildew and hail; yet you did not return to me, says the Lord. Consider from this day on, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid, consider: Is there any seed left in the barn? Do the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree still yield nothing? From this day on I will bless you.

Revelation 3:1”“6

The Message to Sardis

‘And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:

‘I know your works; you have a name for being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is at the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. Yet you have still a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. If you conquer, you will be clothed like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of the book of life; I will confess your name before my Father and before his angels. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

St. Matthew 24:1”“14

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, ‘You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’

Signs of the End of the Age

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, "I am the Messiah!” and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

Persecutions Foretold

‘Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.

Third Sunday of Advent

If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
””Isaiah 58:10 (NKJV)
Scripture Readings:

Isaiah 35:1”“10

The Return of the Redeemed to Zion

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
”ƒthe desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
”ƒand rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
”ƒthe majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
”ƒthe majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weak hands,
”ƒand make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
”ƒ‘Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
”ƒHe will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
”ƒHe will come and save you.’

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
”ƒand the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,
”ƒand the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
”ƒand streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool,
”ƒand the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
”ƒthe grass shall become reeds and rushes.

A highway shall be there,
”ƒand it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
”ƒbut it shall be for God’s people;
”ƒno traveller, not even fools, shall go astray.
No lion shall be there,
”ƒnor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
”ƒbut the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
”ƒand come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
”ƒthey shall obtain joy and gladness,
”ƒand sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Prayers:

Thematic Prayer
God of hope,
you call us home from the exile of selfish oppression
to the freedom of justice,
the balm of healing,
and the joy of sharing.
Make us strong to join you in your holy work,
as friends of strangers and victims,
companions of those whom others shun,
and as the happiness of those whose hearts are broken.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Intercessory Prayer
Brothers and sisters,
as we joyfully await the glorious coming of the Christ,
let us pray for the needs of the church, our community, and the world.

Prayers of the People, concluding with:

God of joy and exultation,
you strengthen what is weak;
you enrich the poor
and give hope to those who live in fear.
Look upon our needs this day.
Make us grateful for the good news of salvation
and keep us faithful in your service until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture Prayer
O God of Isaiah and John the Baptist,
through all such faithful ones
you proclaim the unfolding of future joy
and renewed life.
Strengthen our hearts to believe your advent promise
that one day we will walk in the holy way of Christ,
where sorrow and sighing will be no more
and the journey of God's people will be joy. Amen.

Psalm 146:5”“10

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
”ƒwhose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth,
”ƒthe sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith for ever;
”ƒwho executes justice for the oppressed;
”ƒwho gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free;
”ƒthe Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
”ƒthe Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
”ƒhe upholds the orphan and the widow,
”ƒbut the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

The Lord will reign for ever,
”ƒyour God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord!

James 5:7”“10

Patience in Suffering

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

St. Matthew 11:2”“11

Messengers from John the Baptist

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’

Jesus Praises John the Baptist

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

"See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
”ƒwho will prepare your way before you.”

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Monday, Dec 16th

Collect

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 honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Conclude with

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.

Psalm 41

Assurance of God’s Help and a Plea for Healing

Happy are those who consider the poor;
”ƒthe Lord delivers them in the day of trouble.
The Lord protects them and keeps them alive;
”ƒthey are called happy in the land.
”ƒYou do not give them up to the will of their enemies.
The Lord sustains them on their sickbed;
”ƒin their illness you heal all their infirmities.

As for me, I said, ‘O Lord, be gracious to me;
”ƒheal me, for I have sinned against you.’
My enemies wonder in malice
”ƒwhen I will die, and my name perish.
And when they come to see me, they utter empty words,
”ƒwhile their hearts gather mischief;
”ƒwhen they go out, they tell it abroad.
All who hate me whisper together about me;
”ƒthey imagine the worst for me.

They think that a deadly thing has fastened on me,
”ƒthat I will not rise again from where I lie.
Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted,
”ƒwho ate of my bread, has lifted the heel against me.
But you, O Lord, be gracious to me,
”ƒand raise me up, that I may repay them.

By this I know that you are pleased with me;
”ƒbecause my enemy has not triumphed over me.
But you have upheld me because of my integrity,
”ƒand set me in your presence for ever.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
”ƒfrom everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.

Zechariah 1:7”“17

First Vision: The Horsemen

On the twenty”“fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah son of Iddo; and Zechariah said, In the night I saw a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen; and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. Then I said, ‘What are these, my lord?’ The angel who talked with me said to me, ‘I will show you what they are.’ So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, ‘They are those whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.’ Then they spoke to the angel of the Lord who was standing among the myrtle trees, ‘We have patrolled the earth, and lo, the whole earth remains at peace.’ Then the angel of the Lord said, ‘O Lord of hosts, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which you have been angry these seventy years?’ Then the Lord replied with gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. So the angel who talked with me said to me, Proclaim this message: Thus says the Lord of hosts; I am very jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. And I am extremely angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was only a little angry, they made the disaster worse. Therefore, thus says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. Proclaim further: Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity; the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.

Revelation 3:7”“13

The Message to Philadelphia

‘And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of the holy one, the true one,
”ƒwho has the key of David,
”ƒwho opens and no one will shut,
”ƒ”ƒwho shuts and no one opens:

‘I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but are lying””I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

St. Matthew 24:15”“31

The Desolating Sacrilege

‘So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; someone on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, "Look! Here is the Messiah!” or "There he is!”””do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, "Look! He is in the wilderness”, do not go out. If they say, "Look! He is in the inner rooms”, do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

The Coming of the Son of Man

‘Immediately after the suffering of those days

the sun will be darkened,
”ƒand the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from heaven,
”ƒand the powers of heaven will be shaken.

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see "the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven” with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Tuesday, Dec 17th

Collect

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 honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Conclude with

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.

Psalm 45

Ode for a Royal Wedding

To the leader: according to Lilies. Of the Korahites. A Maskil. A love song.

My heart overflows with a goodly theme;
”ƒI address my verses to the king;
”ƒmy tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

You are the most handsome of men;
”ƒgrace is poured upon your lips;
”ƒtherefore God has blessed you for ever.
Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
”ƒin your glory and majesty.

In your majesty ride on victoriously
”ƒfor the cause of truth and to defend the right;
”ƒlet your right hand teach you dread deeds.
Your arrows are sharp
”ƒin the heart of the king’s enemies;
”ƒthe peoples fall under you.

Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever.
”ƒYour royal sceptre is a sceptre of equity;
”ƒyou love righteousness and hate wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
”ƒwith the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
”ƒyour robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
”ƒdaughters of kings are among your ladies of honour;
”ƒat your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear;
”ƒforget your people and your father’s house,
”ƒand the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him;
”ƒthe people of Tyre will seek your favour with gifts,
”ƒthe richest of the people with all kinds of wealth.

The princess is decked in her chamber with gold”“woven robes;
”ƒin many”“coloured robes she is led to the king;
”ƒbehind her the virgins, her companions, follow.
With joy and gladness they are led along
”ƒas they enter the palace of the king.

In the place of ancestors you, O king, shall have sons;
”ƒyou will make them princes in all the earth.
I will cause your name to be celebrated in all generations;
”ƒtherefore the peoples will praise you for ever and ever.

Zechariah 2:1”“13

Third Vision: The Man with a Measuring Line

I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. Then I asked, ‘Where are you going?’ He answered me, ‘To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.’ Then the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him, and said to him, ‘Run, say to that young man: Jerusalem shall be inhabited like villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and animals in it. For I will be a wall of fire all round it, says the Lord, and I will be the glory within it.’

Interlude: An Appeal to the Exiles

Up, up! Flee from the land of the north, says the Lord; for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven, says the Lord. Up! Escape to Zion, you that live with daughter Babylon. For thus said the Lord of hosts (after his glory sent me) regarding the nations that plundered you: Truly, one who touches you touches the apple of my eye. See now, I am going to raise my hand against them, and they shall become plunder for their own slaves. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me. Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the Lord. Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in your midst. And you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.

Be silent, all people, before the Lord; for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

Revelation 3:14”“22

The Message to Laodicea

‘And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God’s creation:

‘I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.” You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’

St. Matthew 24:32”“44

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

The Necessity for Watchfulness

‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Wednesday, Dec 18th

Collect

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 honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Conclude with

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour 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.

Psalm 119:49”“72

Remember your word to your servant,
”ƒin which you have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my distress,
”ƒthat your promise gives me life.
The arrogant utterly deride me,
”ƒbut I do not turn away from your law.
When I think of your ordinances from of old,
”ƒI take comfort, O Lord.
Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
”ƒthose who forsake your law.
Your statutes have been my songs
”ƒwherever I make my home.
I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
”ƒand keep your law.
This blessing has fallen to me,
”ƒfor I have kept your precepts.

The Lord is my portion;
”ƒI promise to keep your words.
I implore your favour with all my heart;
”ƒbe gracious to me according to your promise.
When I think of your ways,
”ƒI turn my feet to your decrees;
I hurry and do not delay
”ƒto keep your commandments.
Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
”ƒI do not forget your law.
At midnight I rise to praise you,
”ƒbecause of your righteous ordinances.
I am a companion of all who fear you,
”ƒof those who keep your precepts.
The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
”ƒteach me your statutes.

You have dealt well with your servant,
”ƒO Lord, according to your word.
Teach me good judgement and knowledge,
”ƒfor I believe in your commandments.
Before I was humbled I went astray,
”ƒbut now I keep your word.
You are good and do good;
”ƒteach me your statutes.
The arrogant smear me with lies,
”ƒbut with my whole heart I keep your precepts.
Their hearts are fat and gross,
”ƒbut I delight in your law.
It is good for me that I was humbled,
”ƒso that I might learn your statutes.
The law of your mouth is better to me
”ƒthan thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Zechariah 3:1”“10

Fourth Vision: Joshua and Satan

Then he showed me the high priest Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this man a brand plucked from the fire?’ Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’ And to him he said, ‘See, I have taken your guilt away from you, and I will clothe you in festal apparel.’ And I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him in the apparel; and the angel of the Lord was standing by.

Then the angel of the Lord assured Joshua, saying ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Now listen, Joshua, high priest, you and your colleagues who sit before you! For they are an omen of things to come: I am going to bring my servant the Branch. For on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven facets, I will engrave its inscription, says the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the guilt of this land in a single day. On that day, says the Lord of hosts, you shall invite each other to come under your vine and fig tree.’

Revelation 4:1”“8

The Heavenly Worship

After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper and cornelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. Around the throne are twenty”“four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty”“four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal.

Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing,

‘Holy, holy, holy,
the Lord God the Almighty,
”ƒwho was and is and is to come.’

St. Matthew 24:45”“51

The Faithful or the Unfaithful Slave

Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says to himself, "My master is delayed”, and he begins to beat his fellow”“slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.