Monday, December 28, 2026
The Holy Innocents (Childermas)
Morning Prayer
Opening Sentence
The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. habakkuk 2:20
Antiphon
Alleluia. Unto us a child is born: * O come, let us adore him. Alleluia.
Psalms
140
First Lesson
Jeremiah 31:1–17
Second Lesson
Revelation 20
Evening Prayer
Opening Sentence
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth stand in awe of him. psalm 96:9
Psalms
143
First Lesson
Song of Songs 5
Second Lesson
Luke 23:1–25
Collects
Seasonal Collect
Almighty God, out of the mouths of children you manifest your truth, and by the death of the Holy Innocents at the hands of evil tyrants you show your strength in our weakness: We ask you to mortify all that is evil within us, and so strengthen us by your grace, that we may glorify your holy Name by the innocence of our lives and the constancy of our faith even unto death; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who died for us and now lives with you and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.
Special Collect
Almighty God, you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by the good example of your servant N., may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at last, with him, we attain to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Or this: Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy; for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Remembrance
The Fourth Day of Christmas