Collects, Epistles and Gospels:
Advent until Lent

The First Sunday of Advent

The 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 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 Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

This Collect is to be repeated every day, with the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas-Eve.

Epistle: Romans 13:8-14. Gospel: Matthew 21:1-13

The Second Sunday in Advent.

The Collect

Blessed Lord, who has caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may so hear them; read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Collect from the First Sunday in Advent is to be repeated every day, with the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas-Eve.

Epistle: Romans 15:4-13. Gospel: Luke 21:25-33

The Third Sunday in Advent

The Collect

O Lord Jesus Christ, who before you first came sent your messenger to prepare your way; Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, so prepare and make ready your way, that at your return to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Collect from the First Sunday in Advent is to be repeated every day, with the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas-Eve.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5. Gospel: Matthew 11:2-10

The Fourth Sunday in Advent.

The Collect.

O Lord, Almighty God, raise up your power, and come among us, and with great might aid us; that, although our sins and wickedness much hinder and hurt us in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through the satisfaction of your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

The Collect from the First Sunday in Advent is to be repeated every day, with the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas-Eve.

Epistle: Philippeans 4:4-7. Gospel: John 1:19-28

The Nativity of our Lord, or the Birth-day of Christ

Commonly called Christmas-Day

The Collect

Almighty God, who has given us your only-begotten Son to take upon himself our nature, and to be born of a pure Virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through the same, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Epistle: Hebrews 1:1-12. Gospel: John 1:1-14.

Saint Stephen’s Day

The Collect.

Grant, O Lord, that, in all our sufferings here upon earth for the testimony of your truth, we may steadfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled with the Holy Ghost, may learn to love and bless our persecutors by the example of your first Martyr Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers to you, O blessed Jesus, who stands at the right hand of God to aid all those that suffer for you, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

Then shall follow the Collect of the Nativity, which shall be said continually unto New-year’s Eve.

Epistle: Acts 7:55-60. Gospel: Matthew 23:34-39

Saint John the Evangelist’s Day

The Collect

Merciful Lord, we beseech you to cast your bright beams of light upon your Church, that it being enlightened by the doctrine of your blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John may so walk in the light of your truth, that it may at length attain to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall follow the Collect of the Nativity, which shall be said continually unto New-year’s Eve.

Epistle: I John 1:1-10. Gospel: John 21:19-25.

The Innocents’ Day

The Collect.

O Almighty God, who out of the mouths of babes and sucklings has established strength, and made infants to glorify you by their deaths; Mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by your grace, that by the innocency of our lives, and constancy of our faith even unto death, we may glorify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall follow the Collect of the Nativity, which shall be said continually unto New-year’s Eve.

Epistle: Revelation 14:1-5. Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18

The Sunday after Christmas-Day

The Collect

Almighty God, who has given us your only-begotten Son to take upon himself our nature, and to be born of a pure Virgin; Grant that we being regenerate, and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through the same, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Epistle: Galatians 4:1-7. Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25.

The Circumcision of Christ

The Collect

Almighty God, who made your blessed Son be circumcised and obedient to the law for the sake of man; Grant us the true Circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts and all our members being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey your blessed will; through the same Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The same Collect, Epistle, and Gospel shall serve for every day after unto the Epiphany.

Epistle: Romans 4:8-14. Gospel: Luke 2:15-21

The Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles

The Collect

O God, who by the leading of a star did manifest your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles: Mercifully grant, that we, which know you now by faith, may after this life have the fullness of your glorious Godhead; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle: Ephesians 3:1-12. Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12.

The First Sunday after the Epiphany

The Collect

O Lord, we beseech you to mercifully receive the prayers of your people which call upon you; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do and may have grace and power to faithfully fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle: Romans 12:1-4. Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and grant us your peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle: Romans 12:6-16. Gospel: John 2:1-11

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth your right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle: Romans 12:16-21. Gospel: Matthew 8:1-13

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

The Collect

O God, who knows us to be set in the midst of so many great dangers, and that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle: Romans 13:1-7. Gospel: Matthew 8:23-34

The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

The Collect

O Lord, we beseech you to keep your Church and household continually in your true religion; that they who lean only upon the hope of your heavenly grace may be evermore defended by your mighty power; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle: Colossians 3:12-17. Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30

The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

The Collect

O God, whose blessed Son was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life; Grant us, we beseech you, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as he is pure; that, when he appears again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Ghost, he lives and reigns, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Epistle: I John 3:1-8. Gospel: Matthew 24:23-31

The Sunday called Septuagesima, or the third Sunday before Lent

The Collect

O Lord, we beseech you to hear the prayers of you people favourably; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by your goodness, for the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Epistle: I Corinthians 9:24-27. Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

The Sunday called Sexagesima, or the second Sunday before Lent

The Collect

O Lord God, who sees that we put not our trust in anything that we do; Mercifully grant that by your power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle: 2 Corinthians 11:19-31. Gospel: Luke 8:4-15

The Sunday called Quinquagesima, or the next Sunday before Lent

The Collect

O Lord, who has taught us that all our doings without charity are worth nothing; Send your Holy Ghost and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever lives is counted dead before your; Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Gospel: Luke 18:31-43