Monday, January 5

The Morning Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 6 and 9 a.m.

The Call to Prayer

Search for the LORD and his strength;* continually seek his face.

Psalm 105:4

The Request for Presence

Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call;* have mercy on me and answer me. You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.”* Your face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not your face from me,* nor turn away your servant in displeasure.

Psalm 27:10–12

The Greeting

What terror you inspire!* who can stand before you when you are angry?

Psalm 76:7

The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

I sought the LORD, and he answered me* and delivered me out of all my terror.

Psalm 34:4

A Reading

Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the feast as usual. When the days of the feast were over and they set off home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was somewhere in the party, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere. It happened that, three days later, they found him at the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ He replied, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he meant. He went down with them then and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and with people.

Luke 2:41–52

The Refrain

I sought the LORD, and he answered me* and delivered me out of all my terror.

The Morning Psalm

They Shall Sing of Your Righteous Deeds

I will exalt you, O God my King,* and bless your Name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless you* and praise your Name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;* there is no end to his greatness. One generation shall praise your works to another* and shall declare your power. I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty* and all your marvelous works. They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts,* and I will tell of your greatness. They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness;* they shall sing of your righteous deeds.

Psalm 145:1–7

The Refrain

I sought the LORD, and he answered me* and delivered me out of all my terror.

The Cry of the Church

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.†