On the First Sunday after Christmas, the Epistle from Galatians 4:1-7 might be considered St. Paul's Christmas Gospel because it refers briefly to the circumstances and meaning of Christ's Birth. In the fullness of time or at the appropriate time, God sent His Son into the world so that we might be adopted as spiritual children of God. The Incarnation has many rich meanings and associations. It has cosmic dimensions, and it has real human drama with earthy details. Yet, from the perspective of faith, Paul focuses on the personal application to our lives. The eternal Word, God the Son. took on human flesh in order to redeem human beings from their bondage to sin and death, Jesus Christ becomes one of us so that we might be freed to become sons and daughters of the heavenly Father. This message truly brings us good tidings of great joy.
Friday, December 29, 2023
Friday, December 22, 2023
Advent IV and Christmas Week Readings 2023
As we conclude Advent this year, the calendar is unusual since Advent IV is also Christmas Eve. That means that there is only one day for reading before the Feast of the Incarnation. So here are two sets of readings for the same day, Advent IV/Christmas Eve. and then readings for Christmas week. May the profound joy of our Lord's coming into this world be with us all!
Psalms and Lessons for MORNING PRAYER (according to the 1945 lectionary in the 1928 BCP)
Days Psalms First Lesson Second Lesson
Christmas Eve 50 Baruch 4:36–5:9 Luke 1:67-80
Christmas Week
CHRISTMAS DAY 89:1–30 Isaiah 9:2–7 Luke 2:1–20
ST. STEPHEN 118 2 Chron. 24:17–22 Acts 6
ST. JOHN EVANGELIST 23, 24 Exodus 33:12 -23 John 13:20-26,
HOLY INNOCENTS 8, 26 Jeremiah 31:1–6, 15–16 Matthew 18:1–14
December 29 27 Isa. 56:1–8 1 John 1
December 30 33 Isa. 59:1–3, 15b–21 1 John 2:1–17
December 31 147 Isa. 62 1 John 2:18-29
CIRCUMCISION OF
OUR LORD (Jan. 1) 103 Deuteronomy 30:1–10 Ephesians 2:11-22
Friday, December 15, 2023
Advent III Readings
As previously noted, one theme of Advent is a renewal of devotion to and attention to Holy Scripture. During this Third Week in Advent, Wednesday, Friday. and Saturday are traditional Ember Days of prayer and fasting for the Church's ministry. With that emphasis in mind, here is a basic list of Scripture readings for each day of the week.
Psalms and Lessons for MORNING PRAYER (according to the 1945 lectionary in the 1928 BCP)
Days Psalms First Lesson Second Lesson
THIRD SUNDAY N ADVENT 85, 107:1–16 Isaiah 35 1 Thess. 5:12–23
Monday 84 Isa. 29:1–4, 9–14 Mark 5:1–20
Tuesday 90 Isa. 30:8–17 Mark 5:21
Ember Wednesday 1, 15 Jeremiah 23:9–15 Luke 12:35–48
Thursday 96 Isa. 32:1–4, 15–20 Mark 6:1–6
Ember Friday 40:1–16 Jer. 23:23–32 2 Cor. 5:5
Ember Saturday 42, 43 Malachi 2:1–9 Matt. 9:35– 10:15
Friday, December 08, 2023
Advent II Readings
As noted last week, one of the great themes of Advent is a renewal of devotion to and attention to Holy Scripture. This general Advent emphasis on Scripture is even more pronounced on the Second Sunday in Advent, which has sometimes been called Bible Sunday. With that emphasis in mind, here is a basic list of Scripture readings for each day of the week.
Psalms and Lessons for MORNING PRAYER (according to the 1945 lectionary in the 1928 BCP)
Days Psalms First Lesson Second Lesson
SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT 119:1–16 Isaiah 55 2 Timothy 3
Monday 33 Isa. 8:5–8, 11–20 Mark 2:23–3:6
Tuesday 48 Isa. 9:18–10:4 Mark 3:7–19
Wednesday 50 Isa. 11:1–10 Mark 3:20
Thursday 62, 63 Isa. 13:1–5, 17–22 Mark 4:1–20
Friday 73 Isa. 24:16b Mark 4:21–29
Saturday 80 Isa. 28:1–13 Mark 4:30-41
Saturday, December 02, 2023
Advent I Readings
This year the Advent season begins on Sunday. December 3. One of the great themes of Advent is a renewal of devotion to and attention to Holy Scripture. Ideally, every clergyman and many of the laity participate in Daily Morning and Evening Prayer. In fact, even many devoted individuals only have significant devotional time once a day and shorter prayers at other times. With that reality in mind, here is a basic list of Scripture readings for each day of the week.
Psalms and Lessons for MORNING PRAYER (according to the 1945 lectionary in the 1928 BCP)
Days Psalms First Lesson Second Lesson
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT 46, 97 Isaiah 28:14–22 Heb. 12:14
Monday 1, 3 Isa. 1:1–9 Mark 1:1–13
Tuesday 7 Isa. 1:21–28 Mark 1:14–28
Wednesday 9 Isa. 2:6–19 Mark 1:29–39
Thursday 10 Isa. 4:2 Mark 1:40
Friday 22 Isa. 5:8–29 Mark 2:1–12
Saturday 28, 29 Isa. 7:1–9 Mark 2:13–22