The Holy Innocents

The Collect
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Psalm
124

The Readings 
Jeremiah 31:15-17     +     Revelation 21:1-7     +     Matthew 2:13-18

Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted, because they are no more.
~Jeremiah 31:15

Setting aside a day to remember, to contemplate, the slaughter of the innocent children of Bethlehem? On the fourth day of Christmas, no less? Yes, for this too is part of the story: that God descends fully into the dark brutality of this world in all its grasping, power-clutching madness. And we are right that we refuse to be comforted, or to choose the false comfort of willful ignorance to the world's cruelty. And yet it is that same world that Christ comes to redeem--and we look for the Day.

"See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them as their God;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away."

~Revelation 21:3-4

Closing Prayer
Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~Collect no. 21, For Social Justice (BCP p. 260)

Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

The Collect
Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Psalm

92

The Readings

Exodus 33:18-23     +     I John 1:1-9     +     John 21:19b-24

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us . . . 

~I John 1:1-2

John's Gospel is the last of the four canonical gospels, both in its place of order in the Bible and in its date of composition. The Gospel is symbolized by an eagle, reflecting the traditional view that the Fourth Gospel is the most mystical, peering into heaven, as it were. The opening verses of the Gospel, "the Prologue," contain lofty language about the eternal and divine nature of the Word (logos in Greek) of God, which "was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Its language is echoed in the first epistle of John, as well as in the hymn, Of the Father's love begotten. Written in Latin in the fourth century by the poet Aurelius Prudentius, the following translation can be found in our hymnal (Hymn 82), and speaks of the revealing of the face of the God who in former times none could see and live (Exodus 33:20).

Closing Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for pouring upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through that same Word, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

~adapted from the Collect for the First Sunday after Christmas Day 

Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

The Collect

We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The Psalms

28, 30

The Readings (from the Daily Office of Morning Prayer)

II Chronicles 24:17-22     +     Acts 6:1-7

And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit . . . 

~Acts 6:5

Christmas Day is followed by three Holy Days in succession: St. Stephen, St. John, and the Holy Innocents. Each day will be posted here with a song to serve as an invitation to reflection on the day's prayers and readings.

Today's song, "Good King Wenceslas" is an appropriate carol for this feast of Stephen, who, in addition to being the first martyr, was also one of the first deacons. As clergy, deacons have a particular ministry to the poor, and a calling to consistently and boldly hold the needs of the world before the eyes of the church.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, who for us in this holy season became poor: may we always work to lighten the sufferings of those in need, and hold nothing so dear, even our lives, as the love we hold for you.

Amen.

  

Saint Thomas the Apostle

The Collect
Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Psalm
126

The Readings
Habakkuk 2:1-4    +     Hebrews 10:35-11:1    +    John 20:24-29

For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet 

     "in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; 

     but my righteous one will live by faith."

~ Hebrews 10:37-38a

Poor St. Thomas. He is so frequently, and quite unfairly, remembered for his doubt. And on top of that, his feast day is a mere four days before Christmas--come on, who can be expected to remember and make space for one more thing at this time of year?

And yet, as is often the case, there is a logic to the church's calendar. There is a distinctive Advent quality to the readings for St. Thomas. And on this winter solstice, when we hunker down for the longest night of the year, we prepare to turn toward the dawning light of Christ. As the blog 'Laudable Practice' reflects:

In the very darkest day of the year, the traditional calendar celebrates the Apostle who in the darkness of the upper room beheld the glorious Light which had filled and transfigured the darkness of the Tomb. In the words of Keble:

Thus, ever brighter and more bright,
On those He came to save
The Lord of new-created light
Dawned gradual from the grave - 'St Thomas' Day', The Christian Year.

By celebrating St Thomas in the dark days of December, the Church witnesses to the created order caught up in the Lord's Resurrection, and thus being sign of Life and Light. For from old St Thomas's Day, the days come "every brighter and more bright".

Then there is the proximity of Christmas Day. We will hear in the Christmas Gospel, "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not". St Thomas's Day prepares us to gaze upon Light Incarnate, with the Apostle to confess "My Lord and my God" of the Infant in the Manger, no less than the Risen One.

Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, as we ready ourselves for this holy Christmastide, give us the gift of faith, that we may be among the blessed ones who have not seen and yet believe; for your love's sake. Amen.