← Prayer Book
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Morning Prayer
Sunday, December 20, 2026 • 3rd Sunday of Advent
Opening
Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
O God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory 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.
Hymn
Creator of the Stars of Night
Creator of the stars of night,
your people's everlasting light,
O Christ, Redeemer, save us all,
and hear your servants when they call.
your people's everlasting light,
O Christ, Redeemer, save us all,
and hear your servants when they call.
When this old world drew on toward night,
you came; but not in splendor bright,
not as a monarch but the child
of Mary, blameless mother mild.
you came; but not in splendor bright,
not as a monarch but the child
of Mary, blameless mother mild.
At your great name, O Jesus, now
all knees must bend, all hearts must bow,
and things in heaven and earth shall own
that you are Lord and King alone.
all knees must bend, all hearts must bow,
and things in heaven and earth shall own
that you are Lord and King alone.
To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, Three in One,
laud, honor, might, and glory be
from age to age eternally.
and God the Spirit, Three in One,
laud, honor, might, and glory be
from age to age eternally.
Psalmody
Psalm 93The Lord Reigns
Ant. The Spirit and the Bride say: Come, Lord Jesus, come.
The Lord has reigned; he is clothed in beauty; the Lord has clothed and girded himself with power.
For he has also established the world which will not be moved.
Your throne has been prepared from of old; you are from eternity.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice.
The floods have lifted up their waves, with the noise of many waters.
Wonderful are the surges of the sea; wonderful is the Lord on high.
Your testimonies are made very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, for length of days.
Glory 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.
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Ant. The Spirit and the Bride say: Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Psalm 148All Creation Praises the Lord
Ant. The Spirit and the Bride say: Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his armies.
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all stars and light.
Praise him, heaven of heavens, and let all the waters above the heavens praise the name of the Lord.
For he spoke and they were made; he commanded and they were created.
He established them forever and into ages of ages; he made a commandment and it will not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all deeps.
Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds, which fulfill his word.
Mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.
Wild beasts and all cattle, serpents and feathered birds.
Kings of the earth and all peoples, leaders and all judges of the earth.
Young men and virgins, elders with the younger.
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted.
His praise is above the heaven and the earth, and he has exalted the horn of his people.
A hymn for all his holy ones, for the sons of Israel, a people drawing near to him.
Glory 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.
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Ant. The Spirit and the Bride say: Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Old Testament Canticle
Old Testament Canticle (Isaiah 12:1–6)
I will confess to you, O Lord, for you were angry with me; your wrath has turned away, and you have comforted me.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will act with confidence and not be afraid.
The Lord is my strength and my praise, and he has become my salvation.
You will draw waters with joy from the fountains of the Savior.
And you will say in that day: "Give praise to the Lord and call upon his name; make known his works among the peoples."
Remember that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done magnificent things; let this be known in all the earth.
Exult and praise, O dwelling of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Glory 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.
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Gospel Canticle: Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79)
The Canticle of Zechariah (Benedictus) (Luke 1:68–79)
Ant. Come, Lord, and do not delay; forgive the sins of your people.
Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and accomplished the redemption of his people.
And he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David his servant.
As he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets, those who have been from the beginning:
Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
To show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath which he swore to our father Abraham, that he would grant to us,
that being freed from the hand of our enemies, we might serve him without fear,
in holiness and justice before him, throughout all our days.
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways.
To give knowledge of salvation to his people, for the remission of their sins,
through the compassionate mercy of our God, by which the Rising Sun has visited us from on high,
to illuminate those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct our feet in the way of peace.
Glory 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.
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Ant. Come, Lord, and do not delay; forgive the sins of your people.
Short Reading
Revelation 22:20
He who testifies to these things says: "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Responsory
V. Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay.
R. Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay.
V. Give new courage to your people,
R. who trust in your word.
Intercessions
As we wait for the coming of our Lord, let us pray with longing hearts, saying:
For the whole church, that it may be a community of watchful hope, living in expectation of your return: we pray to you, O Lord.
Come, Lord Jesus.
For those who do not yet know you, that the light of your gospel may dawn in their hearts: we pray to you, O Lord.
Come, Lord Jesus.
For all who are burdened by sorrow, that Advent hope may sustain them: we pray to you, O Lord.
Come, Lord Jesus.
For a spirit of generosity in this season, that the poor may experience the justice of your coming kingdom: we pray to you, O Lord.
Come, Lord Jesus.
For our parish community, that we may prepare together with prayer and love for the mystery of Christmas: we pray to you, O Lord.
Come, Lord Jesus.
For ourselves, that we may make room in our hearts for the Christ who comes: we pray to you, O Lord.
Come, Lord Jesus.
The Lord's Prayer
Let us pray as the Lord himself has taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Concluding Prayer
Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay. Grant us the grace to be alert and watchful, so that we may welcome you with joy when you appear; who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Dismissal
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
May almighty God bless us: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.