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Lesser Festivals December | |||
| 6 December | Nicholas |
White
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Bishop of Myra, c.326
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| Collect | ||||
| Almighty Father, lover of
souls, who chose your servant Nicholas to be a bishop in the Church, that he might give freely out of the treasures of your grace: make us mindful of the needs of others and, as we have received, so teach us also to give; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. |
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| Post Communion | ||||
| The Post Communion of Bishops is used. | ||||
| 7 December | Ambrose |
White
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Bishop of Milan, Teacher of the Faith, 397
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| Collect | ||||
| God of hosts, who called Ambrose from the governor's throne to be a bishop in your Church and an intrepid champion of your faithful people: mercifully grant that, as he did not fear to rebuke rulers, so we, with like courage, may contend for the faith we have received; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. |
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| Post Communion | ||||
| The Post Communion of Teachers of the Faith is used. | ||||
| 8 December | The Conception of the |
White
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| Blessed Virgin Mary | ||||
| Collect | ||||
| Almighty and everlasting
God, who stooped to raise fallen humanity through the child-bearing of blessed Mary: grant that we, who have seen your glory revealed in our human nature and your love made perfect in our weakness, may daily be renewed in your image and conformed to the pattern of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. |
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| Post Communion | ||||
| God most high, whose handmaid bore the Word made flesh: we thank you that in this sacrament of our redemption you visit us with your Holy Spirit and overshadow us by your power; strengthen us to walk with Mary the joyful path of obedience and so to bring forth the fruits of holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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| 13 December | Lucy |
Red
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Martyr at Syracuse, 304
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| Collect | ||||
| God our redeemer, who gave light to the world that was in darkness by the healing power of the Saviour's cross: shed that light on us, we pray, that with your martyr Lucy we may, by the purity of our lives, reflect the light of Christ and, by the merits of his passion, come to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. |
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| Post Communion | ||||
| One of the Post Communions of Martyrs is used. | ||||
| 14 December | John of the Cross |
White
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Poet, Teacher of the Faith, 1591
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| Collect | ||||
| O God, the judge of all, who gave your servant John of the Cross a warmth of nature, a strength of purpose and a mystical faith that sustained him even in the darkness: shed your light on all who love you and grant them union of body and soul in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. |
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| Post Communion | ||||
| The Post Communion of Teachers of the Faith is used. | ||||
| 29 December | Thomas Becket |
Red
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Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1170
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| Collect | ||||
| Lord God, who gave grace to your servant Thomas Becket to put aside all earthly fear and be faithful even to death: grant that we, disregarding worldly esteem, may fight all wrong, uphold your rule, and serve you to our life's end; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. |
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| Post Communion | ||||
| One of the Post Communions of Martyrs is used. | ||||