Book of Alternative Services
These readings are from the Anglican Church of Canada’s adaptation of the Revised Common Lectionary. On Sundays and feast days there is a link to the full readings.
Liturgical Year A: Nov 27, 2022 to Dec 2, 2023
Liturgical Year B: Dec 3, 2023 to Nov 30, 2024
Advent Feria (Violet or Blue)
Eve of Christmas (White or Gold)
Thursday, December 24th, 2020
Christmas Season
Advent Wreath: The Advent wreath is removed before the first liturgy of Christmas, unless it contains a white Christmas candle, which is now lit. The Christmas cycle begins at evening prayer today and concludes after evening prayer on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.Christmas Crèche: A Christmas crèche may be erected in the church on Christmas Eve or on Advent IV, but hopefully not before the 17th of December when Advent enters its final thematic phase anticipating the Nativity of Christ. The image of the Child is not placed in the crèche until immediately before, or at the end of the first service of Christmas when the crèche is blessed. The Christmas crèche should include the Shepherds, manger animals, and angels but not the Wise Men (Magi) who replace these on the feast of the Epiphany. The Church of England's Common Worship: Times and Seasons provides a "Blessing of the Crib" on p. 102 and "Prayers at the Crib" on p. 103. The Episcopal Church also provides a "Blessing of a Crèche" in The Book of Occasional Services, which may be found on p. 32.
Christmas Festival of Readings and Music: The Book of Occasional Celebrations provides a service of Nine Lessons and Carols (A13) that may be used during the Christmas Season. It may be appropriate to use such a service during Advent but it should not be used before the 17th of December when Advent enters it final thematic phase anticipating the Nativity of Christ.
Morning Prayer: Psalm 45, 46; Two of the following three readings: Isaiah 35:1-10; Revelation 22:12-17, 21; Luke 1:67-80; Collect 272
Holy Eucharist: During the Day: As Sunday, except: 2 Samuel 7:1-16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-29; Luke 1:67-79
In the Evening: Propers 273 or FAS 378; Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14, (15-20); OR Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20; OR Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12); John 1:1-14; Preface of Christmas
Evening Prayer: Eve of Christmas: Psalm 89:1-29; Isaiah 59:15b-21; Philippians 2:5-11; Collect 273 or FAS 378
Lectionary citations are reprinted from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts, admin. by Augsburg Fortress. Reproduced by permission.