December 23rd - Ecce completa sunt

Today is Tuesday in the fourth week of Advent, it is of simple rite.

At Mattins in the nocturn psalms 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and 51 are sung under the ferial antiphons. The lessons are from the Prophet Isaiah. At Lauds the ferial psalms are sung: 50, 42, 62-66, the Canticle of Ezechiel & 148-149-150. These psalms are sung under the antiphons Rorate caeli etc. The antiphon on the Benedictus is proper to the day Ecce completa sunt omnia, quae dicta sunt per Angelum de Virgine Maria. The ferial preces are sung, kneeling, with the psalm De profundis.

At Prime the first antiphon of Lauds is sung, the psalmody is 53, 24, 118(i) & 118(ii). The ferial preces are sung, again kneeling, at all the Hours. Psalm 118, the 'Psalm of the Law' is sung at Hours.

Mass is sung after None. The ministers wear folded chasubles. The Mass of the Fourth Sunday of Advent is sung but without the Alleluia and its verse. The Gloria is not sung, the second collect is Deus, qui de beatae and third for the Church, Ecclesiae. The dismissal is Benedicamus Domino.

At ferial Vespers psalms 121, 122, 123, 124 & 125 are sung. The hymn Conditor alme siderum is sung for the last time this year. The antiphon on the Magnificat is O Emmanuel that is sung, standing, in its entirety both before and after the canticle. The ferial preces are then sung whilst kneeling including the psalm Miserere mei Deus. At Compline the preces are sung kneeling.

In addition to the Office of the day the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin is also sung.

Time to harvest some holly and a tree before the forecast heavy snow arrives in the United Kingdom - cue Bing Crosby and Holiday Inn, perhaps a White Christmas!