Advent Challenge 2023

Several weeks ago, Fr. Greg preached on the Parable of the Ten Virgins from the Gospel of Matthew (25:1-13). In this parable Jesus compares those virgins who are prepared to meet the bridegroom when he arrives to those who neglect these preparations. Christ is, of course, the bridegroom and we, the church, are the bride who wait for our Lord to return and take us to the wedding feast he has prepared, the Feast of the Lamb. As Fr. Greg reminded us, we confess that Christ has come and that Christ will “come again to judge the living and the dead.” Having been betrothed to Christ through baptism, Fr. Greg exhorted us to prepare ourselves for his coming through obedience and worship. 

Advent marks the beginning of the new liturgical year. Throughout this season we are called to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ-child celebrated on Christmas Day. However, even while we prepare to celebrate the miracle of the Incarnation, we are also challenged to prepare for Christ’s second coming. This year our Advent Challenge invites you to practice preparedness by joining the Church in praying the Daily Office (Morning and Evening Prayer) with the intention that our whole year may be shaped by this pattern of prayer. 

What is the Daily Office? As our Book of Common Prayer describes: “Daily Morning Prayer and Daily Evening Prayer are the established rites (offices) by which, both corporately and individually, God’s people annually encounter the whole of the Holy Scriptures, daily confess their sins and praise Almighty God, and offer timely thanksgivings, petitions, and intercessions” (BCP 2019, 6). In short, the Daily Office is about both the spiritual life of the individual and the life of the whole Church. By praying the Daily Office, the Church, which has scattered throughout classrooms, neighborhoods, and workplaces, remains united. On the individual level, the Daily Office is designed to meet our essential spiritual needs: reading the Scriptures, practicing repentance through confession, giving thanks, offering prayers of petition and intercession. 

Keep in mind that the Daily Office does not exclude other devotional practices. If centering prayer helps you refocus your heart, do centering prayer too. If making time to journal about your day helps you examine the ways God shows up in your life, journal as well. If rigorous study of small passages of Scripture helps you to “read, mark, and inwardly digest” God’s Word, by all means (BCP 2019, 598). However, the patterns and words of the Daily Office provide us with a balanced spiritual diet every day, morning and evening. 

This season of Advent, let us prepare our hearts to receive Christ, our King and Bridegroom, by committing ourselves to the reading of his Word, confession, and prayer.

Practical Preparations for Praying the Daily Office

New to praying the Daily Office?  Not sure where to begin? Here’s how to get started:

  • What do I need? 

    • You will need a Book of Common Prayer and a Bible. The 2019 BCP is available for purchase on the Anglican House Publishers website. You can also download a PDF version for free here or access the Daily Office and lectionary reading on your phone here. It is always preferable to have a physical copy; if you are unable to afford a BCP at this time, our church will provide you with one.

  • Where do I start? 

    • Daily Morning Prayer begins on p. 11. Daily Evening Prayer begins on p. 41.

    • Instructions regarding what to read are provided in italics. Taking a few minutes to read over these instructions will help you become more familiar with how the Daily Office is read. If you are uncertain about whether something should be included or omitted, you may always reference the 2019 BCP Daily Office website. 

  • How will I know what to read? 

    • Scripture readings (“Lessons”) may be found in the Daily Office Lectionary on p. 734. 

    • If you are new to the Daily Office Lectionary, take a few minutes to read the “Use of Psalms in the Daily Office” on p. 734 and the “Annual Cycle of Lessons Appointed” on p. 736-737 as these offer helpful introductions and explanations. 

  • How will Advent change the standard readings for the Daily Office?

    • Opening Sentence of Scripture: For both Morning and Evening prayer, there are Opening Sentences of Scripture specifically appropriate for Advent. These may be found on p. 27 for Morning Prayer and p. 54 for Evening Prayer.

    • Seasonal Antiphons: Singing or saying the antiphon before and after the Invitatory Psalm is optional. However, if you choose to include it, a seasonal antiphon may be found on p. 29.

  • Do I have to have other people to pray the Daily Office?

    • Although the Daily Office is written to be prayed communally, you can pray it by yourself as well. Also, you don’t have to be Anglican to pray the Daily Office! Invite a housemate, friend, or co-worker to join you in prayer.

    • For families with young children, the 2019 BCP offers “Family Prayer” options so your whole family can participate in Morning and Evening Prayer together.

“Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.”  – George Herbert

Elena Salvatore