5th January, Vigil of the Epiphany

Vigil of the Epiphany

For the third time, an angel appeared to Joseph (Gospel). He told him to Palestine, for Herod had just died in dreadful torment, such as heaven reserves for those who persecute. His son Archelaus, on ascending the throne, put to death three thousand of his subjects. Joseph feared for Jesus, and it was under these circumstances that he was once more told in a dream to retire to Nazareth.

Dum medium silentium tenerent omnia, et nox in suo cursu medium iter haberet, omnipotens sermo tuus, Domine, de coelis, a regalibus sedibus venit. * Dominus regnavit, decorem indutus est: indutus est Dominus fortitudinem, et praecinxit se. 
While all things were in quiet silence, and the night was in the midst of her course, thy Almighty Word, O Lord, came down from thy royal throne. * The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself.
(Wisdom 18:14-15 and Psalm 92:1 from the Introit of Mass)

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, dirige actus nostros in beneplacito tuo: ut in nomine dilecti Filii tui mereamur bonis operibus abundare.
O Almighty and Eternal God, regulate our actions according to thy divine will: that in the name of thy beloved Son, we may abound in good works.
(Collect)


The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew

But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt, Saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child. Who arose, and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in the room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee. And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarene.
(St Matthew 2:19-23)