1st Thursday of Advent

1
This is the message we have heard from Christ:
that God is light, in whom there is
no darkness at all
1 John 1:5
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Herald
Go up to a high mountain
herald of good tiding to Zion:
lift up your voice with strength,
herald of good tidings to Jerusalem.

Lift up your voice, fear not:
say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'
See the Lord God, coming with power:
coming to rule with his mighty arm.
He brings his reward for the people of God:
the recompense for those who are saved.
God will feed his flock like a shepherd:
and gather the lambs in his arms;
He will hold them to his breast:
and gently lead those that are with young.
Isaiah 40:9-11
3 The Opening Prayer
The night has passed and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
1  As the deer longs for the water brooks, 
   so longs my soul for you, O God.
2  My soul is athirst for God, even for the living God; 
   when shall I come before the presence of God?
3  My tears have been my bread day and night, 
   while all day long they say to me, ‘Where is now your God?’
4  Now when I think on these things, I pour out my soul: 
   how I went with the multitude
      and led the procession to the house of God,
5  With the voice of praise and thanksgiving, 
   among those who kept holy day.
6  Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, 
   and why are you so disquieted within me?
7  O put your trust in God; 
   for I will yet give him thanks,
      who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
8  My soul is heavy within me; 
   therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan,
      and from Hermon and the hill of Mizar.
9  Deep calls to deep in the thunder of your waterfalls; 
   all your breakers and waves have gone over me.
10  The Lord will grant his loving-kindness in the daytime; 
   through the night his song will be with me,
      a prayer to the God of my life.
11  I say to God my rock,
      ‘Why have you forgotten me, 
   and why go I so heavily, while the enemy oppresses me?’
12  As they crush my bones, my enemies mock me; 
   while all day long they say to me, ‘Where is now your God?’
13  Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, 
   and why are you so disquieted within me?
14  O put your trust in God; 
   for I will yet give him thanks,
      who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
1  Give judgement for me, O God,
      and defend my cause against an ungodly people; 
   deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.
2  For you are the God of my refuge;
      why have you cast me from you, 
   and why go I so heavily, while the enemy oppresses me?
3  O send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, 
   and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling,
4  That I may go to the altar of God,
      to the God of my joy and gladness; 
   and on the lyre I will give thanks to you, O God my God.
5  Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, 
   and why are you so disquieted within me?
6  O put your trust in God; 
   for I will yet give him thanks,
      who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us in your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share our human nature, so we may be partakers in his divine glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed

Isaiah 44:1–8 (Listen)

Israel the Lord’s Chosen

44:1   “But now hear, O Jacob my servant,
    Israel whom I have chosen!
  Thus says the LORD who made you,
    who formed you from the womb and will help you:
  Fear not, O Jacob my servant,
    Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
  For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
    and streams on the dry ground;
  I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring,
    and my blessing on your descendants.
  They shall spring up among the grass
    like willows by flowing streams.
  This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’s,’
    another will call on the name of Jacob,
  and another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’
    and name himself by the name of Israel.”

Besides Me There Is No God

  Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel
    and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
  “I am the first and I am the last;
    besides me there is no god.
  Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.1
    Let him declare and set it before me,
  since I appointed an ancient people.
    Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
  Fear not, nor be afraid;
    have I not told you from of old and declared it?
    And you are my witnesses!
  Is there a God besides me?
    There is no Rock; I know not any.”

Footnotes

[1] 44:7 Or Who like me can proclaim it?

(ESV)

Revelation 21:9–21 (Listen)

The New Jerusalem

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed—13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia.1 Its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits2 by human measurement, which is also an angel’s measurement. 18 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

Footnotes

[1] 21:16 About 1,380 miles; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
[2] 21:17 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

(ESV)

The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, The Hymn of the Word
In the beginning was the Word:
and the Word was with God,
And the Word was God:
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him:
and without him, was not anything made that was made.
In him was life:
and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness:
and the darkness has not overcome it.
He was in the world:
and the world was made through him
yet the world knew him not.

He came to his own home:
and his own people received him not.
But to all who received him who believed on his name:
he has given power to become children of God;
Who were born not of blood
nor of the will of the flesh:
nor of the will of a man but of God,
And the Word became flesh:
and dwelt among us full of grace and truth;
We have beheld his glory:
glory as of the only Son from the Father,
And from his fullness have we all received:
the grace upon grace.
John 1:1-5, 10-14, 16
8 The Apostles' Creed may be said
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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.
9 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
10 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
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.
11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
12 The Morning Collect
Lord and heavenly Father,
you have brought us safely to this new day:
keep us by your mighty power, protect us from sin,
guard us from every kind of danger,
and in all we do this day
direct us in the fulfilling of your purpose,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
13
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the God of peace equip us with everything good so that we may do his will; and may he work in us that which is pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
see Hebrews 13:20-21
1
The Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult and give God the glory.
Revelation 19:6-7
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
2 The Opening Canticle, A Song for Joy
Be joyful in the Lord, all the earth:
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God:
it is he who has made us, and we are his;
for 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 praise his name.
For the Lord is good;
his loving-kindness is everlasting:
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
Psalm 100
3 The Opening Prayer
The day is now passed and the night is at hand.
Let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence may be kept
Father of lights, receive the prayer and praise we offer you as our evening sacrifice; make us a light for all the world, delivered by your goodness from all the works of darkness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each
1  I waited patiently for the Lord; 
   he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2  He brought me out of the roaring pit,
      out of the mire and clay; 
   he set my feet upon a rock and made my footing sure.
3  He has put a new song in my mouth,
      a song of praise to our God; 
   many shall see and fear
      and put their trust in the Lord.
4  Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, 
   who does not turn to the proud that follow a lie.
5  Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
      How great your designs for us! 
   There is none that can be compared with you.
6  If I were to proclaim them and tell of them 
   they would be more than I am able to express.
7  Sacrifice and offering you do not desire 
   but my ears you have opened;
8  Burnt offering and sacrifice for sin you have not required; 
   then said I: ‘Lo, I come.
9  ‘In the scroll of the book it is written of me
      that I should do your will, O my God; 
   I delight to do it: your law is within my heart.’
10  I have declared your righteousness in the great congregation; 
   behold, I did not restrain my lips,
      and that, O Lord, you know.
11  Your righteousness I have not hidden in my heart;
      I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; 
   I have not concealed your loving-kindness and truth
      from the great congregation.
12  Do not withhold your compassion from me, O Lord; 
   let your love and your faithfulness always preserve me,
13  For innumerable troubles have come about me;
      my sins have overtaken me so that I cannot look up; 
   they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
      and my heart fails me.
14  Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; 
   O Lord, make haste to help me.
15  Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed
      who seek after my life to destroy it; 
   let them be driven back and put to shame
      who wish me evil.
16  Let those who heap insults upon me 
   be desolate because of their shame.
17  Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; 
   let those who love your salvation say always,
      ‘The Lord is great.’
18  Though I am poor and needy, 
   the Lord cares for me.
19  You are my helper and my deliverer; 
   O my God, make no delay.
1  God is our refuge and strength, 
   a very present help in trouble;
2  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, 
   and though the mountains tremble in the heart of the sea;
3  Though the waters rage and swell, 
   and though the mountains quake at the towering seas.
4  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 
   the holy place of the dwelling of the Most High.
5  God is in the midst of her;
      therefore shall she not be removed; 
   God shall help her at the break of day.
6  The nations are in uproar and the kingdoms are shaken, 
   but God utters his voice and the earth shall melt away.
7  The Lord of hosts is with us; 
   the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
8  Come and behold the works of the Lord, 
   what destruction he has wrought upon the earth.
9  He makes wars to cease in all the world; 
   he shatters the bow and snaps the spear
      and burns the chariots in the fire.
10  ‘Be still, and know that I am God; 
   I will be exalted among the nations;
      I will be exalted in the earth.’
11  The Lord of hosts is with us; 
   the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow
God our Saviour, you sent Jesus into the world of sin, and delivered him up to death for us: kindle in our hearts the same love with which he loved his own to the end; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed
The reading may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
7 The Canticle, The Song of Christ's Glory
Christ Jesus was in the form of God:
but he did not cling to equality with God.
He emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant:
and was born in our human likeness.
Being found in human form, he humbled himself:
and became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him:
and bestowed on him the name above every name,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow:
in heaven and on earth and under the earth;
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord:
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5b-11
8 The Prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy Lord have mercy.
9 The Lord's Prayer and the Collect of the Day
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.
10 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.
11 The Evening Collect
Be present, merciful God, and protect us through the hours of the night: that we, who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world, may rest on your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
12
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of the 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