Antiphon1
Ant. For it is God who has established the world, *
it shall never be moved;
your throne is established from of old;
you are from all eternity.
V. The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed. †
The Lord has robed himself with might; *
he has girded himself with power. Psalm 93
Almighty God,
you have filled us with the light of the Word
who became flesh and lived among us.
Let the light of faith shine in all that we do;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen. BCW
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ycn4djk5
O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!
HYMN: Jean-Baptiste de Santeüil, trans. Edward Caswall
Tune: Bristol https://tinyurl.com/95vsntye
1 O Zion, open wide thy gates,
let symbols disappear;
a priest and victim, both in one,
the Truth himself, is here.
2 Aware of hidden deity,
the lowly Virgin brings
her newborn babe, with two young doves,
her humble offerings.
3 The agèd Simeon sees at last
his Lord, so long desired,
and Anna welcomes Israel’s hope,
with holy rapture fired.
4 But silent knelt the mother blest
of the yet silent Word,
and pondering all things in her heart,
with speechless praise adored.
PSALMS
Psalm 19 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yd7jfjmy)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God *
and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 One day telleth another *
and one night certifieth another.
3 There is neither speech nor language *
but their voices are heard among them.
4 Their sound is gone out into all lands *
and their words into the ends of the world.
5 In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun *
which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber,
and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course.
6 It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven,
and runneth about unto the end of it again *
and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul *
the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart *
the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, and endureth for ever *
the judgements of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold *
sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb.
11 Moreover, by them is thy servant taught *
and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how oft he offendeth *
O cleanse thou me from my secret faults.
13 Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins,
lest they get the dominion over me *
so shall I be undefiled, and innocent from the great offence.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart *
be alway acceptable in thy sight,
15 O Lord *
my strength, and my redeemer.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 20 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydbb8hr9)
1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble *
the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee ;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary *
and strengthen thee out of Sion;
3 Remember all thy offerings *
and accept thy burnt-sacrifice;
4 Grant thee thy heart’s desire *
and fulfil all thy mind.
5 We will rejoice in thy salvation,
and triumph in the Name of the Lord our God *
the Lord perform all thy petitions.
6 Now know I, that the Lord helpeth his Anointed,
and will hear him from his holy heaven *
even with the wholesome strength of his right hand.
7 Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses *
but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought down, and fallen *
but we are risen, and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord, and hear us, O King of heaven *
when we call upon thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 21 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yccrfx9l)
1 The King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord *
exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation.
2 Thou hast given him his heart’s desire *
and hast not denied him the request of his lips.
3 For thou shalt prevent him with the blessings of goodness *
and shalt set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him a long life *
even for ever and ever.
5 His honour is great in thy salvation *
glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him.
6 For thou shalt give him everlasting felicity *
and make him glad with the joy of thy countenance.
7 And why? because the King putteth his trust in the Lord *
and in the mercy of the most Highest he shall not miscarry.
8 All thine enemies shall feel thine hand *
thy right hand shall find out them that hate thee.
9 Thou shalt make them like a fiery oven in time of thy wrath *
the Lord shall destroy them in his displeasure,
and the fire shall consume them.
10 Their fruit shalt thou root out of the earth *
and their seed from among the children of men.
11 For they intended mischief against thee *
and imagined such a device as they are not able to perform.
12 Therefore shalt thou put them to flight *
and the strings of thy bow shalt thou make ready
against the face of them.
13 Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength *
so will we sing, and praise thy power.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 19 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-19.mp3)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,
4 Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.
5 In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8 The statutes of the LORD are just and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the LORD is clear and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.
11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.
13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.
Psalm 20 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-20.mp3)
1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble, *
the Name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 Send you help from his holy place *
and strengthen you out of Zion;
3 Remember all your offerings *
and accept your burnt sacrifice;
4 Grant you your heart’s desire *
and prosper all your plans.
5 We will shout for joy at your victory
and triumph in the Name of our God; *
may the LORD grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that the LORD gives victory to his anointed; *
he will answer him out of his holy heaven,
with the victorious strength of his right hand.
7 Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, *
but we will call upon the Name of the LORD our God.
8 They collapse and fall down, *
but we will arise and stand upright.
9 O LORD, give victory to the king *
and answer us when we call.
Psalm 21 (Gregorian Tone V.I, Litton Psalter)
1 The king rejoices in your strength, O LORD; *
how greatly he exults in your victory!
2 You have given him his heart’s desire; *
you have not denied him the request of his lips.
3 For you meet him with blessings of prosperity, *
and set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him: *
length of days, for ever and ever.
5 His honor is great, because of your victory; *
splendor and majesty have you bestowed upon him.
6 For you will give him everlasting felicity *
and will make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king puts his trust in the LORD; *
because of the loving-kindness of the Most High, he will not fall.
8 Your hand will lay hold upon all your enemies; *
your right hand will seize all those who hate you.
9 You will make them like a fiery furnace *
at the time of your appearing, O LORD;
10 You will swallow them up in your wrath, *
and fire shall consume them.
11 You will destroy their offspring from the land *
and their descendants from among the peoples of the earth.
12 Though they intend evil against you
and devise wicked schemes, *
yet they shall not prevail.
13 For you will put them to flight *
and aim your arrows at them.
14 Be exalted, O LORD, in your might; *
we will sing and praise your power.
PRAYER
Faithful God,
you sent your incarnate Word
as the sun of justice to shine upon all the world.
Open our eyes to see your gracious hand in all your works,
that, rejoicing in your whole creation,
we may learn to serve you with gladness,
for the sake of him through whom all things were made,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: Isaiah 63:7-16
I will recount the Lord’s faithful acts;
I will sing the Lord’s praises,
because of all the Lord did for us,
for God’s great favor toward the house of Israel.
God treated them compassionately
and with deep affection.
God said, “Truly, they are my people,
children who won’t do what is wrong.”
God became their savior.
During all their distress, God also was distressed,
so a messenger who served him saved them.
In love and mercy God redeemed them,
lifting and carrying them throughout earlier times.
But they rebelled,
and made God’s holy spirit terribly sad,
so that he turned into their enemy—
he fought against them!
Then they remembered earlier times,
when he rescued his people.
Where was the one who drew them up from the sea,
the shepherd of the flock?
Where was the one who put within them his holy spirit;
the one who guided Moses’ strong hand
with his glorious arm;
who split the water for them
to create an enduring reputation for himself,
and who guided them through the depths?
Like a horse in the desert, they didn’t stumble.
Like cattle descending to the valley,
the Lord’s spirit brought them to rest.
In this way you led your people
and made for yourself a glorious reputation.
Look down from heaven and see,
from your holy and glorious perch.
Where are your energy and your might,
your concern and your pity?
Don’t hold back!
You are surely our father,
even though Abraham doesn’t know us,
and Israel doesn’t recognize us.
You, Lord, are our father;
your reputation since long ago is that of our redeemer.
HYMN: Samuel Medley
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/39fp6zhx
1 Awake, my soul, to joyful lays,
And sing thy great Redeemer’s praise;
He justly claims a song for me,
His loving-kindness, oh, how free!
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness, oh, how free!
2 When trouble like a gloomy cloud,
Has gathered thick and thundered loud,
He near my soul has always stood,
His loving-kindness, oh, how good!
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness, oh, how good!
3 Soon I shall pass the gloomy vale,
Soon all my mortal pow’rs must fail;
Oh, may my last expiring breath
His loving-kindness sing in death.
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness sing in death.
4 Then let me mount and soar away
To the bright world of endless day;
And sing with raptures and surprise,
His loving-kindness in the skies.
Loving-kindness, loving-kindness,
His loving-kindness in the skies.
READING: Ephesians 2:11-22
So remember that once you were Gentiles by physical descent, who were called “uncircumcised” by Jews who are physically circumcised. At that time you were without Christ. You were aliens rather than citizens of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of God’s promise. In this world you had no hope and no God. But now, thanks to Christ Jesus, you who once were so far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Christ is our peace. He made both Jews and Gentiles into one group. With his body, he broke down the barrier of hatred that divided us. He canceled the detailed rules of the Law so that he could create one new person out of the two groups, making peace. He reconciled them both as one body to God by the cross, which ended the hostility to God.
When he came, he announced the good news of peace to you who were far away from God and to those who were near. We both have access to the Father through Christ by the one Spirit. So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household. As God’s household, you are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. The whole building is joined together in him, and it grows up into a temple that is dedicated to the Lord. Christ is building you into a place where God lives through the Spirit.
HYMN: William Watkins Reid ©
Tune: Llangloffan https://tinyurl.com/57thvwxz
1 O God of every nation,
of every race and land,
redeem the whole creation
with your almighty hand.
Where hate and fear divide us
and bitter threats are hurled,
in love and mercy guide us,
and heal our strife torn world.
2 From lust for wealth and power,
from scorn for truth and right,
from trust in bombs that shower
destruction through the night,
from pride of race and station
and blindness to your way,
deliver every nation.
Eternal God, we pray.
3 Lord, strengthen those who labor
that we may find release
from fear of rattling saber,
from dread of war’s increase.
When hope and courage falter,
your still small voice be heard;
with faith that none can alter,
your servants undergird.
4 Keep bright in us the vision
of days when war shall cease,
when hatred and division
give way to love and peace,
till dawns the morning glorious
when truth and justice reign,
and Christ shall rule victorious
o’er all the world’s domain.
READING: Luke 2:36-40
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After she married, she lived with her husband for seven years. She was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day. She approached at that very moment and began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
CANTICLE Luke 1:46-55
(John Michael Talbot, https://tinyurl.com/mweccsj)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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.
PRAYERS WS2
All the ends of the earth
have seen the salvation of our God. Alleluia!
Shout to the Lord, all the earth. Alleluia!
O Christ, splendor of God’s eternal glory,
the mighty Word, sustaining the universe:
Renew our lives by your presence.
O Christ, born into the world in the fullness of time
for the liberation of all creation:
Release all into your promised freedom.
O Christ, begotten of the Father before all time,
born in a stable at Bethlehem:
May your church be a sign of hope and joy.
O Christ, truly God and truly human,
born to a people in fulfillment of their expectations:
Fulfill our desires in you.
O Christ, born of the virgin Mary,
child of wonder and splendor,
Mighty God of all ages, Prince of Peace:
May the whole world live in peace and justice.
(Karin Simmons: https://tinyurl.com/y7vwp7dd)
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;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
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.
God of glory,
your splendor shines from a manger in Bethlehem
into the darkness of human night.
Open our eyes to Christ’s presence
in the shadows of our world
so that we, like him, may become beacons of your justice
and defenders of all for whom there is no room. Amen. WS2
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
WS2 The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd edition, © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources
The main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalm 19 and 20 are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are sung by Ryland Angel.
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2026 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.
Oremus 