Today, and the other Holy Days following Christmas Day, all involve combinations of Martyrs of Deed and Martyrs of Will. St. John the Evangelist is considered a Martyr of Will, as he spoke out and proclaimed Christ as Saviour, however, was exiled instead of being put to death.
The following is taken from:
- The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Book Centre, Toronto © The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, 1962, Used without permission.
- The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Edited by Francis Burgess, originally produced by the Plainchant and Mediaeval Music Society, Royal School of Church Music, Dorking.
Antiphon: Ecclesiasticus 15 In the midst of the congregation he opened his mouth; and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding: in a robe of glory he arrayed him.
Verse: Psalm 45 A treasure of joy and gladness: hath he given him for an inheritance.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Repeat the Antiphon In the midst of ...
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 19-21
Collect for St. John the Evangelist
Merciful Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church, that it being enlightened by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John may so walk in the light of thy truth, that it may at length attain to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect for Christmas
Almighty God, who hast given us thy only begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure Virgin: Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 110 and 104
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, That God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:1-5 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 110
John 21 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him; He shall not die. But, If I will that he tarry till I come: follow thou me.
Alleluia. Alleluia. John 21 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things: and we know that his testimony is true. Alleluia.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 19-21
Jesus said unto Peter, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, That that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things, and we know that his witness is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose, that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.
John 21:19-25 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 111
Psalm 92 he righteous shall flourish like a palm-tree; and shall spread abroad like a cedar in Libanus.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 19-21
Upon Christmas Day, and during the Octave thereof, and upon the Feast of the Annunciation.
Because thou didst give Jesus Christ thine only Son to be born as at this time for us; who, by the operation of the Holy Spirit, was made very man of the substance of the Virgin Mary his mother; and that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin. Therefore with Angels, etc.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 79
John 21 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him: He shall not die: but: if I will that he tarry till I come.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 19-21