Fourth Sunday in Advent

First Class (Violet) Double I class.
Station at the Twelve Holy Apostles.

Introit. Is. 45:8 Rorate caeli desuper.

Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and bring forth the Saviour. § Ps. 19:1. The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Drop down, ye heavens . . . §

The Collect. [BCP]

O Lord, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and come among us: and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us. Through the satisfaction of thy Son our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Or the following Collect. [EF]

O Lord, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and come among us: and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins we are sore let and hindered, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us: Who livest and reignest with God the Father. Amen.

The Epistle. 1 Cor. 4:1-5.
The Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians.

Brethren: Let a man so account of us, as ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself: yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come: who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Gradual. Ps. 145:18,21. Prope est Dominus.

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: yea, all such as call upon him faithfully. V. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy name.

¶ The following Alleluia with the Verse is said on Sunday only, on Ferias it is omitted.

Alleluia. Veni, Domine.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Come, O Lord, and tarry not: forgive the misdeeds of thy people Israel. Alleluia.

The Gospel. John 1:19-28. [BCP]
The Continuation of the holy Gospel according to John.

At that time: The Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Or the following Gospel. Lk 3:1-6. [EF]
The Continuation of the holy Gospel according to Luke.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests: the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying: The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord: make his paths straight: every valley shall be filled: and every mountain and hill shall be brought low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth: and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Creed.

Offertory. Lk. 1:28. Ave, Maria.

Hail, Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

Secret.

We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to have respect unto these our sacrifices: that they may increase our devotion and set forth our salvation. Through.

The Preface of the Most Holy Trinity.

Communion. Is. 7:14. Ecce, virgo.

Behold, a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a son: and his name shall be called Emmanuel.

Postcommunion.

O Lord, who hast made us to be partakers of thy bounty: we beseech thee; that we, continually drawing near to this holy mystery, may thereby grow in grace to the attainment of everlasting salvation. Through.

¶ If the Vigil of the Nativity fall on Sunday, the whole Office of the Mass is of the Vigil, with Commemoration of the Sunday.

Third Sunday in Advent

First Class (Violet) Double I class.
Station at S. Peter.

Introit. Phil. 4:4-6. Gaudete.

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men: for the Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer let your requests be made known unto God. § Ps. 85:1. Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land: thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Rejoice in the Lord alway . . . §

The Collect. [BCP]

O Lord Jesu Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee: grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight: Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God world without end. Amen.

Or the following Collect. [EF]

Lord, we beseech thee, give ear to our prayers: and by thy gracious visitation lighten the darkness of our heart: Who livest and reignest with God the Father.

The Epistle. 1 Cor. 4:1-5. [BCP]
The Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians.

Brethren: Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Or the following Epistle. Phil. 4:4-7. [EF]
The Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Philippians.

Brethren: Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men: the Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing: but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gradual. Ps. 80:2-3,2. Qui sedes.

Thou that sittest upon the Cherubim, stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come. V. Hear us, O thou Shepherd of Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep.

¶ The following Alleluia with the Verse is said on Sunday only, on Ferias it is omitted.

Alleluia. Excita, Domine.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come and help us. Alleluia.

The Gospel. Mt. 11:2-10. [BCP]
The Continuation of the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time: When John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see. The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Or the following Gospel. Jn. 1:19-28. [EF]
The Continuation of the holy Gospel according to John.

At that time: The Jews sent priests and levites from Jerusalem to John, to ask him: Who art thou? And he confessed and denied not, but confessed: I am not the Christ. And they asked him: What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith: I am not. Art thou that Prophet? And he answered: No. Then said they unto him: Who art thou, that we may give an answer to them that sent us: What sayest thou of thyself? He said: I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the Prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him: Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that Prophet? John answered them saying: I baptize with water but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; he it is who coming after me is preferred before me: whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Creed.

Offertory. Ps 85:2. Benedixisti, Domini.

Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land: thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob: thou hast forgiven the offence of thy people.

Secret.

We beseech thee, O Lord, that the continual offering of this sacrifice of our bounden duty: may fulfil thine institution of this sacred mystery, and may accomplish in us the wondrous work of thy salvation. Through.

Preface of the Most Holy Trinity.

Communion. Is. 35:4. Dicite.

Say to them that are of a fearful heart: be strong, fear not; behold, our God will come and save us.

Postcommunion.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, we beseech thee: and grant that these means of heavenly grace may so cleanse us from our iniquities, that we may be made ready to keep thy coming festival. Through.

Second Sunday in Advent

First Class (Violet) Double I class.
Station of S. Cross in Jerusalem.

Introit. Is. 30:30. Populus Sion.

People of Sion, behold, the Lord is nigh at hand to redeem the nations: and in the gladness of your heart the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard. § Ps. 79. Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. People of Sion . . . §

The Collect. [BCP]

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them; that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ: Who liveth.

Or the following Collect. [EF]

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way of thine only-begotten Son: that through his advent we may be cleansed from our offences, and may serve thee with a ready mind: Who liveth.

The Epistle. Rom. 15:4-13.
The Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Romans.

Brethren: Whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning: that we through patience, and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another, according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say, that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith: Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again: Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles: and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith: There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in him shall the Gentiles trust. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing: that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Gradual. Ps. 50:2-3,5. Ex Sion.

Out of Sion hath God appeared: in perfect beauty. V. Gather my saints together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me with sacrifice.

¶ The following Alleluia with the Verse is said on Sunday only, on Ferias it is omitted.

Alleluia. Ps. 122:1. Laetatus sum.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. I was glad when they said unto me: we will go into the house of the Lord. Alleluia.

The Gospel. Lk. 21:25-33. [BCP]
The Continuation of the holy Gospel according to Luke.

At that time: Jesus said unto his disciples: there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. and when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Or the following Gospel. Mt. 11:2-10. [EF]
The Continuation of the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time: When John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him: Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them: Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see. The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them: and blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me. And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John: What went ye out into the wilderness to see? a reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Creed.

Offertory. Ps. 85:7-8. Deus, in conversus.

Wilt thou not turn again, O God, and quicken us, that thy people may rejoice in thee: shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.

Secret.

We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to accept the prayers and sacrifices of thy humble servants: that we, who cannot of our own prayers and merits help ourselves, may be defended by thy succour. Through.

Preface of the Most Holy Trinity.

Communion. Baruch 5:5; 4:36. Jerusalem, surge.

Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high, and behold the joy that cometh unto thee from thy God.

Postcommunion.

O Lord, who hast fulfilled us with spiritual food and sustenance, we humbly beseech thee: that through the partaking of these holy mysteries thou wouldest teach us to despise things earthly, and to love the things that are heavenly. Through.