Watch ye, therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

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The Epistle. Rom. xv. 4-13.

OR whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one towards another, according to Christ Jesus; that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say, that Jesus Christ was a Minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers; and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy : as it is written: "For this cause, I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name." And again he saith: "Rejoice ye Gentiles, with his people." And again, "Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him all ye people." And again, "Esaias saith, there shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in him shall the Gentiles trust." Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

The Gospel. Matt. xi. 2-10. OW when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him: "Art thou he that should come,

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or do we look for another?" Jesus answered, and said unto them: "Go and shew John, again, those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, "What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written, behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee."

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The Epistle.

1. Cor. iv. 1-5.

ET a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of Go . Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of man's judgment; yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God.

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THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT.

The Gospel John i. 1928. ND this is the record of John, when the Jews sent Priests and Levites from Jerusalem to

ask him "Who art thou ?" And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, "I am not the Christ." And they asked him, "What then? Art thou Elias?" And he saith, "I am not." "Art thou that Prophet?" And he answered, "No." Then said they unto him, "Who art thou ? that we may give an answer to them who sent us: what sayest thou of thyself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias." And they which were sent, were of the Pharisees: and they asked him, and said unto him: "Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not the Christ, nor Elias, neither that Prophet?" John answered them, saying: "I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you whom ye know not; HE it is, who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I ain not worthy to unloose." These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The Epistle. Phillip. iv. 47 EJOICE in the Lord always: and again, I say, Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing: but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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CHRISTMAS DAY.

The Gospel. Luke ii. 114.

ND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing

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was first made, when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Gallilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the Inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo! the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them: "Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, and good will towards men."

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The Epistle. Titus ii. 11-14.

OR the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glori ous appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a uliar people, zealous of good works.

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NEW YEAR'S DAY.

The Gospel. Luke ii. 15.

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ND it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which hath come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

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The Epistle. Gal. iii. 23-29.

UT before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith: But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster; for ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as inany of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

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THE SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.

The Gospel. Luke ii. 33-40.

ND Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother: " Behold this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spokenagainst; (yea, a sword shall pierce thro' thy own soul also ;) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." And there was one Anna, a prophetess,