Daily Morning Prayer:
Rite Two
December 22, 2024
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
The Officiant begins the service with one or more of these sentences of Scripture, or with the versicle “Lord, open our lips.”
Advent
Watch, for you know not when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning; lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.Mark 13:35, 36
Advent
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.Isaiah 40:3
Advent
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.Isaiah 40:5
The following Confession of Sin may then be said; or the Office may continue at once with “Lord, open our lips.”
Confession of Sin
The Officiant says to the people
Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of Almighty God our heavenly Father, to set forth his praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and our salvation. And so that we may prepare ourselves in heart and mind to worship him, let us kneel in silence, and with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.
Officiant and People together, all kneeling
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Priest alone stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
A deacon or lay person using the preceding form remains kneeling, and substitutes “us” for “you” and “our” for “your.”
The Invitatory and Psalter
All stand
OfficiantLord, open our lips.
PeopleAnd our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Officiant and People
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
Then follows one of the Invitatory Psalms, Venite or Jubilate.
Venite
Psalm 95:1-7
Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
95
Venite, exultemusBCP p. 7241Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
2Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
3For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.
4In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *and the heights of the hills are his also.
5The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.
6Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
8Harden not your hearts, as your forebears did in the wilderness, *at Meribah, and on that day at Massah, when they tempted me.
9They put me to the test, *though they had seen my works.
10Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *“This people are wayward in their hearts; they do not know my ways.”
11So I swore in my wrath, *“They shall not enter into my rest.”
Jubilate
Psalm 100
Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.
Know this: The Lord himself is God; *he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; *give thanks to him and call upon his Name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; *and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
Then follows
The Psalm or Psalms Appointed
24
Domini est terraBCP p. 6131The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, *the world and all who dwell therein.
2For it is he who founded it upon the seas *and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep.
3“Who can ascend the hill of the Lord? *and who can stand in his holy place?”
4“Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *who have not pledged themselves to falsehood, nor sworn by what is a fraud.
5They shall receive a blessing from the Lord *and a just reward from the God of their salvation.”
6Such is the generation of those who seek him, *of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
7Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them high, O everlasting doors; *and the King of glory shall come in.
8“Who is this King of glory?” *“The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.”
9Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them high, O everlasting doors; *and the King of glory shall come in.
10“Who is he, this King of glory?” *“The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.”
29
Afferte DominoBCP p. 6201Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, *ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his Name; *worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; *the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
4The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; *the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor.
5The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; *the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, *and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
7The voice of the Lord splits the flames of fire; the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; *the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe *and strips the forests bare.
9And in the temple of the Lord *all are crying, “Glory!”
10The Lord sits enthroned above the flood; *the Lord sits enthroned as King for evermore.
11The Lord shall give strength to his people; *the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
At the end of the Psalms is sung or said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Lessons
The First Lesson
Isa. 42:1-12
A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.
The Word of the Lord.
PeopleThanks be to God.
12
A Song of Creation
Benedicite, omnia opera DominiSong of the Three Young Men, 35-65
Invocation
Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
In the high vault of heaven, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
I. The Cosmic Order
Glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord, *O heavens and all waters above the heavens.
Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew, *all winds and fire and heat.
Winter and Summer, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O chill and cold, *drops of dew and flakes of snow
Frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O nights and days, *O shining light and enfolding dark.
Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
II. The Earth and Its Creatures
Let the earth glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O mountains and hills, and all that grows upon the earth, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams, *O whales and all that move in the waters.
All birds of the air, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild, *and all you flocks and herds.
O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
III. The People of God
Let the people of God glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O priests and servants of the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
You that are holy and humble of heart, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
Doxology
Let us glorify the Lord:Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *sing praise and give honor for ever.
In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord, *sing praise and give honor for ever.
The Second Lesson
Eph. 6:10-20
A Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians.
The Word of the Lord.
PeopleThanks be to God.
21
You are God
Te Deum laudamusYou are God: we praise you; You are the Lord; we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
The Apostles’ Creed
Officiant and People together, all standing
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Prayers
The People stand or kneel
OfficiantThe Lord be with you.
PeopleAnd also with you.
OfficiantLet us pray.
Officiant and People
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Then follows one of these sets of Suffrages
B
V.Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;
R.Govern and uphold them, now and always.
V.Day by day we bless you;
R.We praise your name for ever.
V.Lord, keep us from all sin today;
R.Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
V.Lord, show us your love and mercy;
R.For we put our trust in you.
V.In you, Lord, is our hope;
R.And we shall never hope in vain.
A
V.Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R.And grant us your salvation.
V.Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R.Let your people sing with joy.
V.Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R.For only in you can we live in safety.
V.Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R.And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V.Let your way be known upon earth;
R.Your saving health among all nations.
V.Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R.Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V.Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R.And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
The Officiant then says one or more of the following Collects
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Sundays
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then, unless the Eucharist or a form of general intercession is to follow, one of these prayers for mission is added
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
Here may be sung a hymn or anthem.
Authorized intercessions and thanksgivings may follow.
Before the close of the Office one or both of the following may be used
The General Thanksgiving
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Then may be said
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Officiant may then conclude with one of the following
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.2 Corinthians 13:14
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Romans 15:13
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.Ephesians 3:20,21