This page is a liturgical guide to the seasons. Here you'll find the colors, themes, prayers, and lectionary (scheduled Scripture readings) for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.
Advent Week 1 | Advent Week 2
Advent Week 3 | Advent Week 4
Christmas | Epiphany
FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
COLORS
Purple (violet) or deep blue
THEMES
Hope | Salvation | Prophecy | Judgment
PRAYERS
Advent Collect
(Book of Common Prayer)
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.
Select Prayer
(Revised Common Lectionary)
Unexpected God, your advent alarms us. Wake us from drowsy worship, from the sleep that neglects love, and the sedative of misdirected frenzy. Awaken us now to your coming, and bend our angers into your peace. Amen.
LECTIONARY (Year B)
Second Week of Advent
COLORS
Purple (violet) or deep blue
THEMES
Peace | Repentance | Justice
PRAYERS
Advent Collect
(Book of Common Prayer)
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Select Prayer
(Revised Common Lectionary)
Laboring God, with axe and winnowing fork you clear a holy space where hurt and destruction have no place, and a little child holds sway. Clear our lives of hatred and despair, sow seeds of joy and peace, that shoots of hope may spring forth and we may live in harmony with one another. Amen.
LECTIONARY (Year B)
Third Week of Advent
COLORS
Purple (violet), deep blue or rose (pink)
THEMES
Joy | Mercy | Redemption | Steadfast Faith
PRAYERS
Advent Collect
(Book of Common Prayer)
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Select Prayer
(Revised Common Lectionary)
God of hope, you call us home from the exile of selfish oppression to the freedom of justice, the balm of healing, and the joy of sharing. Make us strong to join you in your holy work, as friends of strangers and victims, companions of those whom others shun, and as the happiness of those whose hearts are broken. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
LECTIONARY (Year B)
Hebrew Bible
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm
Psalm 126
New Testament
1 Thess. 5:16-24
Gospel
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Fourth Week of Advent
COLORS
Purple (violet) or deep blue
THEMES
Love | God-with-us | Restoration | Fulfillment
PRAYERS
Advent Collect
(Book of Common Prayer)
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.
Select Prayer
(Revised Common Lectionary)
O God of Elizabeth and Mary, you visited your servants with news of the world’s redemption in the coming of the Savior. Make our hearts leap with joy, and fill our mouths with songs of praise, that we may announce glad tidings of peace, and welcome the Christ in our midst. Amen.
LECTIONARY (Year B)
Hebrew Bible
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Psalm
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
New Testament
Romans 16:25-27
Gospel
Luke 1:26-38
Christmas
COLORS
White or gold
PRAYERS
Christmas Collects
(Book of Common Prayer)
1. O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.Amen.
2. O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Select Prayers
(Revised Common Lectionary)
1. God of all ages, in the birth of Christ your boundless love for your people shattered the power of darkness. Be born in us with that same love and light, that our song may blend with all the choirs of heaven and earth to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
2. God, you spoke and your Word became flesh, breathing a new song of joy and praise into the world. Grant that we may bear the good news of your salvation, proclaiming your promise of peace to the ends of the earth. Amen.
LECTIONARY (Year B)
Epiphany
COLOR
White
PRAYERS
Epiphany Collect
(Book of Common Prayer)
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Select Prayer
(Revised Common Lectionary)
Radiant Morning Star, you are both guidance and mystery. Visit our rest with disturbing dreams, and our journeys with strange companions. Grace us with the hospitality to open our hearts and homes to visitors filled with unfamiliar wisdom bearing profound and unusual gifts.Amen.
LECTIONARY (Year B)
Hebrew Bible
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
New Testament
Ephesians 3:1-12
Gospel
Matthew 2:1-12