Keeping a Holy Advent
Pojkar, advent, Uppsala, december 1964 by Uppsala-Bild - Upplands Museum, Sweden - CC BY-NC-ND.
The beginning of the new year brings with it a great many resolutions, and I hope that the new church year, beginning today, brings with it some worthwhile resolutions on the part of the everyday Christian. I once read somewhere that a new year’s resolution for January 1st is more effective if begun December 1st, and has a much higher rate of success. So, by all means, begin whatever resolutions you have underway in the coming week, most especially those pertaining to the Christian life.
Scripture
The most common resolution on the part of the everyday Christian is, undoubtedly, a resolve to immerse oneself more frequently in prayer and the reading of Holy Scripture. To that end, you may find here a daily lectionary, based on the ancient daily office lectionary of the Western Church. This specific lectionary is largely lectio continua, and is drawn from the 1613 Cantica Sacra of the Lutheran Cathedral in Magdeburg, very slightly adapted from Mr. Matthew Carver’s compilation published by the LCMS Office of Worship in 2013. The primary difference is that Cantica Sacra sometimes provides a multiplicity of readings for certain days, assuming the observation of the full mass and office, and I have here simplified it to simply two readings, morning and evening, every day. You can find Mr. Carver’s printing of the Cantica Sacra in hardcover, paperback, and ebook, and very easily adapt it to two readings a day.
Prayer
To accompany this lectionary, you may find here a sample order for prayer, based on the little daytime hours of Terce, Sext, and None, though the seasonal responsory and versicle in this instance are taken from Terce. This specific version is for the first week in Advent, but simply replace the hymn, collect, readings, and catechism portion for each following week and you will be set for the entire season. Don’t forget your Advent wreath (real candles, please), to keep time with the Church.
Music
In betwixt and between all of these, you are undoubtedly trying to stay centered in Advent and trying not to jump the gun straight into Christmas, so here is a playlist that should keep your ears pleasantly preoccupied throughout the remainder of the season.