Collects and Post Communions in Traditional Language

   Lesser Festivals December (traditional language)
     
    6 December Nicholas
White
   
Bishop of Myra, c.326
  
     
    Collect
     
    Almighty Father, lover of souls,
who didst choose thy servant Nicholas
      to be a bishop in the Church,
that he might give freely out of the treasures of thy grace:
make us mindful of the needs of others
and, as we have received, so teach us also to give;
through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.  
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Bishops is used.
     
     
    7 December Ambrose
White
   
Bishop of Milan, Teacher of the Faith, 397
  
     
    Collect
     
    Lord God of hosts,
who didst call Ambrose from the governor's throne
to be a bishop in thy Church
and a courageous champion of thy faithful people:
mercifully grant that, as he fearlessly rebuked rulers,
so we may with like courage
      contend for the faith which we have received;
through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. 
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Teachers of the Faith is used.
     
     
    8 December  The Conception of the
White
    Blessed Virgin Mary  
     
    Collect
     
    Almighty and everlasting God,
who stooped to raise fallen humanity
through the child-bearing of blessed Mary:
grant that we, who have seen thy glory
      revealed in our human nature
and thy love made perfect in our weakness,
may daily be renewed in thine image
and conformed to the pattern of thy Son
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. 
     
    Post Communion
     
    O God most high,
whose handmaid bore the Word made flesh:
we give thee thanks that in this sacrament of our redemption
thou dost visit us with thy Holy Spirit
and dost overshadow us with thy power;
strengthen us to walk with Mary
in the joyful path of obedience,
that we may bring forth the fruits of holiness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
         
         
    13 December  Lucy
Red
   
Martyr at Syracuse, 304
  
     
    Collect    
     
    O God our redeemer,
who gavest light to the world that was in darkness
by the healing power of the Saviour's cross:
we beseech thee to shed that light on us
that with thy martyr Lucy
we may, by the purity of our lives,
      reflect the light of Christ
and, by the merits of his passion,
      attain to the light of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. 
     
    Post Communion
     
    One of the Post Communions of Martyrs is used.
     
     
    14 December  John of the Cross
White
   
Poet, Teacher of the Faith, 1591
  
     
    Collect
     
    O God, the judge of all,
who gavest to thy servant John of the Cross
a warmth of nature, a strength of purpose
      and a mystical faith
that sustained him even in the darkness:
shed thy light on all who love thee,
granting them union of body and soul
in thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. 
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Teachers of the Faith is used.
     
     
    29 December Thomas Becket
Red
   
Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1170
  
     
    Collect
     
    O Lord God,
who gavest to thy servant Thomas Becket
grace to put aside all earthly fear
      and be faithful even unto death:
grant that we, caring not for worldly esteem,
may fight against evil,
uphold thy rule,
and serve thee to our life's end;
through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. 
     
    Post Communion
     
    One of the Post Communions of Martyrs is used.