Advent Proper (Anglican Missal)

Work in progress: Advent Proper, scan PDF pp. 35–62

The Proper Masses of the Season

First Sunday in Advent

Station at St. Mary Major.

INTROIT. Ad te levavi. Ps. 25.

UNTO thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul: my God, I have put my trust in thee, O let me not be confounded: neither let mine enemies triumph over me: for all they that hope in thee shall not be ashamed. Ps. ibid. Shew me thy ways, O Lord: and teach me thy paths.

℣. 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.

Which ended, Unto thee, O Lord, will I lift up is repeated as far as Psalm.

¶ And this manner of repeating the Introit is to be observed throughout the year.

¶ Glory be to God on high is not said from this Sunday until the Nativity of our Lord, save upon Feasts.

Let us pray. COLLECT.

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility: that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal. Through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. ℟. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be repeated every day, with the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Eve, and after it the Collect of St. Mary the Virgin as below. But if Commemoration is to be made of any Feast that may occur, after the Collect of the day is said in the second place the Collect of the Saint, and in the third place that of St. Mary the Virgin, or the above if it has not been said.

Of St. Mary. COLLECT.

O GOD, who didst vouchsafe that thy Word should be made flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the message of an Angel: grant to us thy humble servants that we, believing her to be indeed the Mother of God, may by her intercession find favour in thy sight. If it is said in the last place, it is ended as followeth: Through the same Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord: Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God: world without end. ℟. Amen.

COLLECT 3. For Church, or Chief Bishop.

¶ On week-days in Advent, when Mass is said of a semi-double Feast, the second Collect is of Advent, and the third of St. Mary. But if Mass be said of a double Feast, after the Collect of the Feast is said that of Advent only. Of simple Feasts occurring in Advent a Commemoration only is made.

The Lesson from the EPISTLE of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Romans. Rom. 13. 8.

BRETHREN: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this: Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet: and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

GRADUAL. Ps. 25. For all they that look for thee shall not be ashamed, O Lord. ℣. Make known to me thy ways, O Lord: and teach me thy paths.

Alleluia, alleluia. ℣. Ps. 85. Shew us thy mercy, O Lord: and grant us thy salvation. Alleluia.

¶ On the Ferias of Advent, when the Mass of Sunday is said again in the week, Alleluia is not said, nor the verse following, but the Gradual only.

✝ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to Matthew. St. Matt. 21. 1.

AT that time: When they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives: then sent Jesus two disciples, saying unto them: Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say: The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: Tell ye the daughter of Sion: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying: Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying: Who is this? And the multitude said: This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them: It is written: My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY. Ps. 25. Unto thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul: my God, I have put my trust in thee, O let me not be confounded: neither let mine enemies triumph over me: for all they that hope in thee shall not be ashamed.

SECRET.

GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the effectual power of these thy holy mysteries may in such wise cleanse us from all our iniquities that we may in all purity attain unto him who is the author of the same, even Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord: Who liveth.

Of St. Mary. SECRET.

WE beseech thee, O Lord, stablish in our hearts the mysteries of thy true religion: that, as we do believe thy Son, conceived of a Virgin, to be very God and very Man, so by the power of his resurrection we may be found worthy to attain to everlasting felicity. Through the same.

SECRET 3. For Church, or Chief Bishop.

COMMUNION. Ps. 85. The Lord shall shew loving-kindness: and our land shall give her increase.

POSTCOMMUNION.

ASSIST us, O Lord, we pray thee, so to wait for thy loving-kindness in the midst of thy temple: that we may with all worthy reverence prevent the coming festival of our redemption. Through.

Of St. Mary. POSTCOMMUNION.

WE beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts: that as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an Angel; so by his cross and passion we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection. Through the same.

POSTCOMMUNION 3. For Church, or Chief Bishop.

Then is said, Let us bless the Lord, which shall always be done, when Glory be to God on high is not appointed to be said.

¶ Within the week, if Mass be said of the Feria, the Mass of the preceding Sunday is said again, unless a proper mass is appointed.

¶ But whenever in Advent, Lent, Embertide, on Vigils or Rogation days, Mass is said of a double Feast, or of a semi-double occurring, a Commemoration only is made of the Feria. And for Commemoration of the Ferias of Advent, the Collect of the first Sunday is said, unless it be Embertide, for which a proper Collect is appointed.

Second Sunday in Advent

Station at St. Cross in Jerusalem.

INTROIT. Populus Sion. Isa. 30.

O 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. 80. Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. ℣. Glory be.

Glory be to God on high is not said.

COLLECT.

BLESSED LORD, who hast 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 and reigneth.

COLLECT 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

The Lesson from the EPISTLE of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Romans. Rom. 15. 4.

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

Alleluia, alleluia. ℣. Ps. 122. I was glad when they said unto me: we will go into the house of the Lord. Alleluia.

✝ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to Luke. St. Luke 21. 25.

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.

The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY. Ps. 85. 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 oblations of us thy humble servants: that we, who can do nothing of ourselves to help ourselves, may be defended by the succour of thy grace. Through.

SECRET 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

COMMUNION. Baruch 4 and 5. Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high, and behold the joy that cometh unto thee from thy God.

POSTCOMMUNION.

O LORD, who hast vouchsafed to satisfy us with heavenly sustenance: we humbly beseech thee, that we, whom thou hast made partakers of thy holy mysteries, may learn therein to despise all things earthly, and to cleave steadfastly unto all things heavenly. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

Third Sunday in Advent

Station at St. Peter's.

INTROIT. Gaudete. Phil. 4.

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. Ps. 85. Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land: thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. ℣. Glory be.

Glory be to God on high is not said.

COLLECT.

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.

COLLECT 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

The Lesson from the former EPISTLE of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. 1 Cor. 4. 1.

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.

GRADUAL. Ps. 80. Shew thyself, O Lord, thou that sittest upon the Cherubims, stir up thy strength and come. ℣. Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Alleluia, alleluia. ℣. Stir up thy strength, O Lord: and come and help us. Alleluia.

✝ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to Matthew. St. Matt. 11. 2.

AT that time: When John had heard in 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. 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.

GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the continual oblation of this our bounden duty and service: may evermore avail for the fulfilment of the institution of thine ordinance and for the accomplishment in us of the wondrous work of thy salvation. Through.

SECRET 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

COMMUNION. Isa. 35. Say to them that are of a fearful heart: Be strong, fear not: behold your God will come and save you.

POSTCOMMUNION.

HAVE mercy upon us, O Lord, we beseech thee: and grant that the heavenly assistance of thy holy mysteries may so cleanse us from all our iniquities that we may be made ready worthily to keep thy coming festival. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

Ember-Wednesday in Advent

Station at St. Mary Major.

INTROIT. Rorate coeli. Isa. 45.

DROP down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and bring forth a Saviour. Ps. 19. The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. ℣. Glory be.

After Kyrie eleison is said forthwith: Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

COLLECT.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that the coming festival of our redemption may obtain for us the comfort of thy succour in this life, and in the life to come the reward of eternal felicity. Through.

The Lesson from Isaiah the Prophet. Isa. 2. 2.

IN those days: Isaiah the Prophet spake, saying: It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say: Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation: neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord our God.

GRADUAL. Ps. 24. Lift up your heads, O ye gates: and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors: and the King of glory shall come in. ℣. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall rise up in his holy place? Even he that hath clean hands and a pure heart.

Here is said: The Lord be with you, without Let us bow the knee.

COLLECT.

ARISE, O Lord, we pray thee: and delay not to bestow upon us the succour of thy heavenly might: that they which put their trust and confidence in thy mercy may be succoured by the comfort of thy coming: Who livest and reignest.

COLLECT 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

The Lesson for the EPISTLE from Isaiah the Prophet. Isa. 7. 10.

IN those days: The Lord spake unto Ahaz, saying: Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. But Ahaz said: I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. And he said: Hear ye now, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

GRADUAL. Ps. 145. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: yea, all such as call upon him faithfully. ℣. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name.

✝ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to Luke. St. Luke 1. 26.

AT that time: The Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a Virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the Virgin's name was Mary. And the Angel came in unto her, and said: Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said unto her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the Angel: How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the Angel answered and said unto her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren: for with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.

OFFERTORY. Isa. 35. Be strong, and fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance; even God with a recompense: he will come and save you.

SECRET.

WE beseech thee, O Lord, that this our fast may be acceptable in thy sight: that we, being cleansed and made worthy of thy grace may obtain the promise of everlasting life which thou hast given us in thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ: Who liveth.

SECRET 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

COMMUNION. Isa. 7. Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son: and his Name shall be called Emmanuel.

POSTCOMMUNION.

O LORD, who hast vouchsafed to bestow upon us the healing gifts of thy bounty: grant, we beseech thee, that, like as we do rejoice in the partaking of the same, so they may inwardly be profitable to the renewing of our souls. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

Ember-Friday in Advent

Station at the Church of the Twelve Apostles.

INTROIT. Prope es tu. Ps. 119.

BE thou nigh at hand, O Lord, for all thy commandments are true: as concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since, that thou hast grounded them for ever. Ps. ibid. Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way: and walk in the law of the Lord. ℣. Glory be.

COLLECT.

STIR up, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy power, and come among us: that we, who put our trust and confidence in thy mercy, may speedily be delivered from all our adversities. Who livest and reignest.

COLLECT 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

The Lesson for the EPISTLE from Isaiah the Prophet. Isa. 11. 1.

THUS saith the Lord God: There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord. And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes: neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

GRADUAL. Ps. 85. Shew us thy mercy, O Lord: and grant us thy salvation. ℣. O Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land: thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.

✝ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to Luke. St. Luke 1. 39.

AT that time: Mary arose and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb: and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost, and she spake out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

OFFERTORY. Ps. 85. Wilt thou not turn again and quicken us, O God, that thy people may rejoice in thee: shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.

SECRET.

WE beseech thee, O Lord, graciously to accept these our prayers and oblations: that we, being cleansed by these heavenly mysteries, may obtain of thy great mercy the fulfilment of all our desires. Through.

SECRET 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

COMMUNION. Zech. 14. Behold the Lord shall come, and all his saints with him: and in that day there shall be a great light.

POSTCOMMUNION.

GRANT, O Lord, that this holy Sacrament which we have received may in such wise deliver us from the sins of our former nature: that we may be worthy to enter into the fellowship of thy saving mysteries. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

Ember-Saturday in Advent

Station at St. Peter's.

INTROIT. Veni et ostende. Ps. 80.

COME and shew us the light of thy countenance, O Lord, thou that sittest upon the Cherubims: and we shall be whole. Ps. ibid. Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. ℣. Glory be.

After Kyrie eleison is said: Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

COLLECT.

O GOD, who seest us to be sore afflicted by reason of the frailty of our mortal nature: grant, we beseech thee, that we may be relieved by thy gracious visitation: Who livest.

The Lesson from Isaiah the Prophet. Isa. 19. 20.

IN those days: They shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform it. And the Lord shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the Lord, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them, even the Lord our God.

GRADUAL. Ps. 19. He goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven: and runneth about unto the end of it again. ℣. The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his handy-work.

Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

COLLECT.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that we, who as at this time await the birth of thy only-begotten Son, may thereby be delivered from the bondage of the sins which aforetime we have committed: Through the same.

The Lesson from Isaiah the Prophet. Isa. 35. 1.

THUS saith the Lord: The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart: Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance: even God with a recompense, he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water; saith the Lord Almighty.

GRADUAL. Ps. 19. In heaven hath he set a tabernacle for the sun: which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber. ℣. He goeth forth as from the uttermost part of the heaven: and runneth about unto the end of it again.

Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

COLLECT.

O LORD, we pray thee, that we thine unworthy servants, who now bewail the guilt of our misdoings: may be gladdened by the coming of thy only-begotten Son: Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

The Lesson from Isaiah the Prophet. Isa. 40. 9.

THUS saith the Lord: O Sion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid. Say unto the cities of Judah: Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, he the Lord our God.

GRADUAL. Ps. 80. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts: shew the light of thy countenance and we shall be whole. ℣. Stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come and help us.

Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

COLLECT.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that the coming festival of thy Son may avail for the healing of our souls in this present life, and obtain for us in that which is to come the rewards of eternal felicity. Through the same.

The Lesson from Isaiah the Prophet. Isa. 45. 1.

THUS saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut. I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron. And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. I am the Lord, and there is none else: there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: that they may know from the rising of sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth Salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it.

GRADUAL. Ps. 80. Stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come and help us. ℣. Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel; thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep: shew thyself thou that sittest upon the Cherubims, before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasses.

Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. ℟. Arise.

COLLECT.

O LORD, we beseech thee, favourably to hear the prayers of thy people: that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be comforted by the visitation of thy mercy. Through.

The Lesson from the Song of the Three Children. Song of the Three Children, v. 26.

IN those days: The Angel of the Lord came down into the oven together with Azarias and his fellows: and smote the flame of the fire out of the oven, and made the midst of the furnace as it had been a moist whistling wind. And the flame streamed forth above the furnace forty and nine cubits: and it passed through, and burned those Chaldeans it found about the furnace. And the fire touched the three not at all; neither hurt, nor troubled them. Then they, as out of one mouth, praised, glorified, and blessed God in the furnace, saying:

Here Thanks be to God is not said.

HYMN. Ibid.

BLESSED art thou, O Lord God of our fathers. And to be praised and magnified above all for ever.

And blessed is thy glorious and holy Name. And to be praised and magnified above all for ever.

Blessed art thou in the temple of thy holy glory. And to be praised and magnified above all for ever.

Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy kingdom. And to be praised and magnified above all for ever.

Blessed art thou in the sceptre of thy Godhead. And to be praised and magnified above all for ever.

Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the Cherubims. And to be praised and magnified above all for ever.

Blessed art thou that walkest on the wings of the winds, and on the waves of the sea. And to be praised and magnified above all for ever.

Let all thine Angels and Saints bless thee. And praise thee and magnify thee above all for ever.

Let the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all that in them is, bless thee. And praise thee and magnify thee above all for ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. And worthy to be praised and magnified above all for ever.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. And worthy to be praised and magnified above all for ever.

Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers. And worthy to be praised and magnified above all for ever.

Here is said: The Lord be with you, without Let us bow the knee.

COLLECT.

O GOD, who for the deliverance of the three children didst assuage the flames of fire: mercifully grant that the fiery assaults of temptation may have no power upon us thy servants. Through.

COLLECT 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

The Lesson from the latter EPISTLE of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians. 2 Thess. 2. 1.

BRETHREN: We beseech you, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him: that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

TRACT. Ps. 80. Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. ℣. Shew thyself, thou that sittest upon the Cherubims, before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses. ℣. Stir up thy strength, O Lord: and come and help us.

✝ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to Luke. St. Luke 3. 1.

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.

OFFERTORY. Zech. 9. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion, shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee, he is just, and having salvation.

SECRET.

WE beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to have respect unto these our oblations: that the same may be profitable unto us for our increase in all godliness, and for the attainment of everlasting salvation. Through.

SECRET 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

COMMUNION. Ps. 19. He rejoiceth as a giant to run his course: he goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again.

POSTCOMMUNION.

GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord our God: that these holy mysteries which thou hast given unto us for the assurance of our salvation, may both in this life and in that which is to come be profitable unto us for the healing of our souls. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Station at the Church of the Twelve Apostles.

INTROIT. Rorate coeli. Isa. 45.

DROP down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open and bring forth a Saviour. Ps. 19. The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. ℣. Glory be.

COLLECT.

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 Jesus Christ: Who liveth.

COLLECT 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

The Lesson from the EPISTLE of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Philippians. Phil. 4. 4.

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 through Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL. Ps. 145. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: yea, all such as call upon him faithfully. ℣. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name.

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

✝ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to John. St. John 1. 19.

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. The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY. St. Luke 1. 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 oblations: that the same may be profitable unto us for our increase in all godliness, and for the attainment of everlasting salvation. Through.

SECRET 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

COMMUNION. Isa. 7. Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son: and his Name shall be called Emmanuel.

POSTCOMMUNION.

O LORD, who hast here vouchsafed unto us to be partakers of thy bounty: grant, we beseech thee, that we may so continue to draw near unto the same, that growing more and more in grace, we may attain in the end to everlasting life. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION 2 of Advent; 3 of St. Mary.

Source: The Anglican Missal (London: Society of SS. Peter and Paul, 1921), Proper of the Season, scan PDF pp. 35–62 (printed A 1–A 28). Scan: Internet Archive digitization of the Trinity College, Toronto copy.