The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. It is most effective when the ending is indeed an ending, without additions, conversation or noise….. so those present depart in silence; if at home, they go quietly to bed. The Advent Antiphons are refrains which predate the 8th Century and they were sung in the evening on the seven days preceding Christmas Eve. They are addressed to God, calling for him to come, using a tapestry of scriptural titles and pictures that describe his saving work.
it being Advent – light candles or your wreath…..
Preparation
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth.
A period of stillness for reflection on the past day may follow.
Advent being a penitential season we are invited to use the following or other suitable words of penitence
1. When the Lord comes he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins….
Turn to us again o God our Saviour and let your anger cease from us:
Lord have mercy Lord have mercy
Show us your compassion o Lord and grant us your salvation:
Christ have mercy Christ have mercy
Your salvation is near for those that fear you, that glory may dwell in our land:
Lord have mercy Lord have mercy
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
The following or another suitable hymn may be sung
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
To you, O Christ, all glory be,
Whose advent sets your people free;
Whom, with the Father we adore,
And Holy Spirit, evermore.
Amen.
The Word of God
Psalm 143
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and in your faithfulness give ear to my supplications; ♦
answer me in your righteousness.
2 Enter not into judgement with your servant, ♦
for in your sight shall no one living be justified.
3 For the enemy has pursued me,
crushing my life to the ground, ♦
making me sit in darkness like those long dead.
4 My spirit faints within me; ♦
my heart within me is desolate.
5 I remember the time past; I muse upon all your deeds; ♦
I consider the works of your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to you; ♦
my soul gasps for you like a thirsty land.
7 O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me; ♦
hide not your face from me
lest I be like those who go down to the Pit.
8 Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning,
for in you I put my trust; ♦
show me the way I should walk in,
for I lift up my soul to you.
9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies, ♦
for I flee to you for refuge.
10 Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God; ♦
let your kindly spirit lead me on a level path.
11 Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake; ♦
for your righteousness’ sake, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your faithfulness, slay my enemies,
and destroy all the adversaries of my soul, ♦
for truly I am your servant.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
Scripture Reading
Keep awake – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.
Mark 13.35-end
A period of stillness for reflection on the reading may follow
Into your hands o Lord I commend my spirit
Into your hands o Lord I commend my spirit
For you have redeemed me Lord God of truth
I commend my spirit
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Into your hands o Lord I commend my spirit
Gospel Canticle
The Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon)
Come, o Lord, and visit us in peace;
that we may rejoice before you with a perfect heart.
1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: ♦
your word has been fulfilled.
2 My own eyes have seen the salvation ♦
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3 A light to reveal you to the nations ♦
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
Come, o Lord, and visit us in peace;
that we may rejoice before you with a perfect heart.
Prayers
Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here
Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer.
That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy,
let us pray to the Lord…..
That God may establish among the nations his sceptre of righteousness,
let us pray to the Lord…..
That God may bind up the broken hearted and restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen,
let us pray to the Lord…..
That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death,
let us pray to the Lord…..
That with all the saints in light we may shine forth as lights for the world,
let us pray to the Lord….. Lord have mercy.
One or more of the following Collects is said One or more of the following Collects is said
Stillness may be kept
Collect(s) for Advent:
Stir up your power, o God, and come among us.
Heal our wounds, calm our fears and give us peace;
through Jesus our Redeemer.
Amen.
Visit this place, O Lord, we pray, and drive far from it the snares of the enemy;
may your holy angels dwell with us and guard us in peace,
and may your blessing be always upon us.
Amen.
Eternal God, as Mary waited for the birth of your Son, so we wait for his coming in glory; bring us through the birth pangs of this present age to see, with her,
our great salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer may be said.
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
A moment of stillness may follow
The Conclusion with Advent Antiphons
17. O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other mightily,
and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.
18. O Adonai, and leader of the house of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.
1
9. O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us and delay no longer.
20. O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;
you open and no one can shut; you shut and no one can open:
Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,
those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
21. O Morning Star, splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
22. O King of the nations, and their desire, the cornerstone making both one:
Come and save the human race, which you have fashioned from clay.
23. O Emmanuel, our King and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour:
Come and save us o Lord and God.
A moment of stillness may follow
In peace we will lie down and sleep;
for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
for the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night watch looks for the morning,
so do we look for you, o Christ.
Restore us again, O God of hosts;
show us the light of your countenance and we shall be saved.
Bless and keep us, this night and always.
Amen.
the people blow out their candles and log off in silence…….
© The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000-2005 © The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000-2005
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