All-powerful God, we are born under the ancient yoke of sin; grant that the birth of your only Son according to the flesh may deliver us and set us free. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty;

    the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.

   Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

2 Your throne is established from of old;

    you are from everlasting.

3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord,

    the floods have lifted up their voice;

    the floods lift up their roaring.

4 Mightier than the thunders of many waters,

    mightier than the waves of the sea,

    the Lord on high is mighty!

5 Your decrees are very trustworthy;

    holiness befits your house,

    O Lord, forevermore.

Psalm 93 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

1 Kings 17:17-24 – 3 John 1-15 – John 4:46-54

John, Apostle and Evangelist

Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light; that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;

   let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;

   righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,

   before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,

   and all the peoples see his glory.

11 Light is sown for the righteous,

   and joy for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,

   and give thanks to his holy name!

Psalm 97 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Proverbs 8:22-30 – 1 John 5:1-12 – John 13:20-35

St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand: where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;

   let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!

2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily!

   Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

3 For you are my rock and my fortress;

   and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;

4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,

   for you are my refuge.

5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;

   you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

23 Love the LORD, all you his saints!

   The LORD preserves the faithful

   but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

   all you who wait for the LORD!

Psalm 31 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Wisdom 4:7-15 – Acts 7:59-8:8 – Matthew 10:17-22

Christmas Eve

O God, You gladden us with the yearly expectation of our redemption. Grant that we, who now joyfully receive Your only-begotten Son as our Redeemer, may also behold Him without fear when He comes to be our judge; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

1 The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,

    the world and those who dwell therein,

2 for he has founded it upon the seas

    and established it upon the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?

    And who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

    who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

5 He will receive blessing from the Lord

    and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,

    who seek the face of the God of Jacob.[b] Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!

    And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?

    The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!

9 Lift up your heads, O gates!

    And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is this King of glory?

    The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

Psalm 24 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Isaiah 59:15-21 – Philippians 2:5-11 – Matt 1:18-25

O Emmanuel

"O Emmanuel, our king and our Lord,

 The anointed for the nations and their Savior:

Come and save us, O Lord our God."

Relevant verse in Veni, Veni Emmanuel:

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place

    in all generations.

2 Before the mountains were brought forth,

    or ever you had formed the earth and the world,

    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You return man to dust

    and say, “Return, O children of man!”

4 For a thousand years in your sight

    are but as yesterday when it is past,

    or as a watch in the night.

5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,

    like grass that is renewed in the morning:

6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;

    in the evening it fades and withers.

12 So teach us to number our days

    that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Jeremiah 31:10-14 – Galatians 3:15-22 – Luke 1:67-80

O Clavis David (O Key of David)

"O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, 

 You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open:  

Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and in the shadow of death."

Relevant verse in Veni, Veni Emmanuel:

Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

1 Lord, you were favorable to your land;

    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;

    you covered all their sin. Selah

3 You withdrew all your wrath;

    you turned from your hot anger.

4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,

    and put away your indignation toward us!

5 Will you be angry with us forever?

    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?

6 Will you not revive us again,

    that your people may rejoice in you?

7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,

    and grant us your salvation.

Psalm 85 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

1 Samuel 2: 1-10 – Titus 2:1-10 – Luke 1:26-38

O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;

before you kings will shut their mouths,

to you the nations will make their prayer:

Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

Relevant verse in Veni, Veni Emmanuel:

O come, O Root of Jesse free,

Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;

From depths of hell Thy people save,

And give them victory o’er the grave.

11 Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.

    Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.

12 For troubles surround me—  too many to count!

    My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out.

   They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage.

13 Please, Lord, rescue me!

    Come quickly, Lord, and help me.

14 May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame.

    May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace.

15 Let them be horrified by their shame,

    for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

16 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you.

    May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”

17 As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.

   You are my helper and my savior.  O my God, do not delay.

Psalm 40 – New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Zephaniah 3:14-20 – Titus 1:1-16 – Luke 1:1-25