Readings Nov 30/25 to Feb 15/26
Sunday, November 30th, 2025
First Sunday of Advent (Violet or Blue)
Advent
The Advent Wreath: An Advent wreath may be erected in the church with four candles (rose for Advent III and violet for the other Sundays—the traditional liturgical colours of Advent, but for parishes that use blue during Advent it would be appropriate for the candles to also be blue). These traditionally represent 1) the Patriarchs, 2) the Prophets, 3) John the Baptist, and 4) the Blessed Virgin Mary. Another popular representation is 1) Hope, 2) Peace, 3) Love, and 4) Joy. Some choose to combine these by describing the candle from the one and the intent from the other, for example “We light the candle of Love for the Blessed Virgin Mary”. Often a fifth candle (white) is placed in the centre of the wreath to be lit on Christmas Eve and throughout the Christmas season. Each Sunday (beginning with First Evening Prayer), the appropriate number of candles is lit in advance of the formal liturgy. The Book of Occasional Celebrations provides material for the use of the Advent Wreath (A34).
Gloria in Advent: It is customary to omit the Gloria during the season of Advent.
Advent Festival of Readings and Music: The Book of Occasional Celebrations (A2) provides materials for this service to be used during the Advent season.
Advent Prose: Many parishes use the Advent Prose during this season. This can be found in many Anglican hymnals.
Ancient Advent Antiphons: The O Antiphons may be said or sung before and after the Magnificat at evening prayer between the 17th and the 23rd of December, when Advent enters it final thematic phase anticipating the Nativity of Christ. These antiphons, or refrains, all beginning “O…”, were sung before and after the Magnificat at Vespers, according to the Roman use, on the seven days preceding Christmas Eve (December 17-23). They are addressed to God, calling for him to come as teacher and deliverer, with a tapestry of scriptural titles and pictures that describe his saving work in Christ. It is not known when and by whom the antiphons were composed, but they were already in use by the eighth century. The translations provided are from the Church of England’s Common Worship.
Holy Eucharist: (Year A) Propers 268; Is 2:1-5; Ps 122; Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:36-44; Preface of Advent
Sunday, December 7th, 2025
Second Sunday of Advent (Violet or Blue)
Holy Eucharist: Propers 269; Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-7, 18-19; Rom 15:4-13; Mt 3:1-12; Preface of Advent
Sunday, December 14th, 2025
Third Sunday of Advent (Violet or Blue or Rose)
Holy Eucharist: Propers 270; Is 35:1-10; Ps 146:4-9 or C 18 (Lk 1:46-55); Jas 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11; Preface of Advent
Sunday, December 21st, 2025
The Fourth Sunday of Advent (Violet or Blue)
No readings: Lessons and Carols by Theresa Sinnott
December 24. TBA
December 25. Ellie to read
Sunday, December 28th, 2025
First Sunday after Christmas (White)
Within the Octave of Christmas
Holy Eucharist: Propers 276; Is 63:7-9; Ps 148; Heb 2:10-18; Mt 2:13-23; Preface of Christmas
Sunday, January 4th, 2026
The Epiphany of the Lord – PF (White or Gold) [if kept on Sunday]
Second Sunday after Christmas (White)
Holy Eucharist: Epiphany: Propers 279 or FAS 43; Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-7, 10-14; Eph 3:1-12; Mt 2:1-12; Preface of Epiphany
Sunday, January 11th, 2026
The Baptism of the Lord – HD [Proper 1] (White)
Holy Eucharist: Propers 348; Is 42:1-9; Ps 29; Acts 10:34-43; Mt 3:13-17; Third Preface of the Lord’s Day
Sunday, January 18th, 2026
Second Sunday after the Epiphany [Proper 2] (Green)
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Holy Eucharist: Propers 349; Is 49:1-7; Ps 40:1-12; 1 Cor 1:1-9; Jn 1:29-42; Preface of the Lord’s Day
Sunday, January 25th, 2026
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany [Proper 3] (Green)
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Holy Eucharist: Propers 350; Is 9:1-4; Ps 27:1, 5-13; 1 Cor 1:10-18; Mt 4:12-23; Preface of the Lord’s Day
Sunday, February 1st, 2026
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany [Proper 4] (Green)
Eve of the Presentation of the Lord (White)
Holy Eucharist: Propers 352; Mic 6:1-8; Ps 15; 1 Cor 1:18-31; Mt 5:1-12; Preface of the Lord’s Day
Sunday, February 8th, 2026
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany [Proper 5] (Green)
Holy Eucharist: Propers 353; Is 58:1-9a, (9b-12); Ps 112:1-9, (10); 1 Cor 2:1-12, (13-16); Mt 5:13-20; Preface of the Lord’s Day
Sunday, February 15th, 2026
The Last Sunday after the Epiphany (Green)
TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY
Over time the rationale for keeping the readings of the Transfiguration on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany has become more widely understood. Liturgy always looks forward. The ending of the year on the Feast of the Reign of Christ is properly understood as looking forward through the season of Advent to the coming of Christ in His Incarnation at Christmas and in glory at the end of time. Transfiguration Sunday shares the same liturgical and pastoral purpose. It reminds us of our true nature in Christ and looks forward to Easter just as we begin our Lenten journey. It is appropriate therefore that the theme of today emphasise the hope of our salvation at Easter prefigured in the Transfiguration rather than concentrating on the Feast of the Transfiguration itself which is observed on the 6th of August. The Collect from the Church of England’s Common Worship, for example, pulls out this specific theme artfully.
Collect: Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Return of Palm Crosses: Palm branches from last year may be collected today in preparation for making the ashes to be used on Ash Wednesday. A notice should be given the previous Sunday to remind the faithful to return palms today.
Holy Eucharist: Propers 418; Ex 24:12-18; Ps 2 or 99; 2 Pet 1:16-21; Mt 17:1-9; Preface of the Incarnation
